IPC’s Itula says corrupt Swapo is ineligible for local authority coalitions

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says it will not join a coalition with Swapo, which is “thoroughly compromised by corruption”.

IPC president Panduleni Itula said this in an interview with Desert Radio in the wake of the recent regional council and local authority elections.

There is a need for coalitions at about 20 local authorities across the country where no single party won an overall majority.

“No, I don’t think any sensible Namibian who knows the history of Swapo and their corrupt tendencies in local government would approve of our being reconciled with them,” Itula said.

“Swapo has never denounced corruption. In fact, the president failed to denounce the Fishrot scandal. We cannot compromise our integrity and dignity,” he said.

Itula said Swapo has sworn to “clean up” governance, while those who have profited from corruption still walk free.

“Only once they are arrested and punished according to the law will we regard Swapo as being rehabilitated.”

Itula said the IPC was formed to democratically unseat Swapo and to bring about a system of governance based on constitutionality and the rule of law.

He said a constitutional democracy requires cooperation as long as it does not compromise the people’s interests.

‘NOT MY CONCERN’

Approached for comment on Itula’s remarks, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa yesterday said “it is not my concern”, before hanging up.

Former Swapo president Hage Geingob has denied that the party is inherently corrupt.

In July 2020, he said despite some trying to taint the party’s name, he is on record that he will fight corruption.

“Upon receipt where some Cabinet ministers were accused of corruption in the Fishrot, I wrote letters to them requesting an explanation,” he said at the time.

That same year, Shaningwa said the party cannot be crucified for crimes committed by a few corrupt members.

“Swapo is not the problem, many Swapo members are corrupt, and these are the people giving the party a bad name,” she told the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation.

Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said his party is happy with the elections’ results, but is planning a post mortem of the elections.

He said the president will call a politburo meeting soon to map the way forward.

“… to make sure people continue to have trust in Swapo, which must continue to deliver on our promises,” Herunga said.

‘NO DISCRIMINATION’

Itula went on to say he will work with all other political parties to ensure Namibians receive services, regardless of which party they voted for.

“There will be no discrimination,” he said.

He said the party’s steering committee will meet on Saturday to provide guidance.

“We shall respect the mandate of the people of Namibia, even in those proportions that resulted in a need for coalition of local authorities.

“We must also understand the duties, responsibilities and obligations of local councillors have been prescribed by section 30 of the Local Authority Act.

It’s not that a policy is going to be created by a political party on how to deliver services,” he said.

Itula said ruling parties must deliver water and electricity, as well as maintain road infrastructure, and provide sanitation and land for housing.

Whether this is done depends on who holds the most power in individual councils.

He also indicated that some local parties, such as those in Mariental, have hinted at possible collaboration with the IPC.

National Unity Democratic Organisation secretary general Joseph Uapingene yesterday also indicated his party’s readiness to work with other political organisations, but said it has not been approached by another party yet.

Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the decision to enter coalitions depends on the dynamics of each local authority.

Landless People’s Movement outgoing Windhoek councillor Ivan Skrywer says the party has not yet taken a decision about who it might join in a coalition.

However, the leadership has hinted it is willing to collaborate with other political groups.

‘NO TAINTED PARTY, PLEASE’

Itula said the IPC will work with any political party that is not tainted by corrupt practices.

“We can work with our brothers and sisters in Namibia. We must recognise that the people who have been elected, in whatever proportions, are Namibians,” he said.

He said newly elected councillors have a duty and responsibility to provide services to the people, to build infrastructure and develop the country’s human capital.

Political commentator Sam Kauapirurua says the election results, in line with the trend of the last election, suggest that the politics of the absolute majority is waning.

He says the electorate is yearning for change and an end to mere sloganeering, and wants to see an intention to deliver.

“It is also calling for a review of our political order in which people vote for political parties as opposed to individuals.

It might mean the voters are not particularly inspired by the bulk of the ruling party candidates selected for the local authority elections,” he says.

Kauapirurua says it is clear that voters are no longer moved by legacy politics and liberation credentials.

‘SETBACKS NOT ALWAYS FAILURES’

Commenting on the performance of IPC, Itula said the party needs to learn from the recent election.

It must also accept that in politics there are always setbacks and that these do not necessarily count as failures.

“Setbacks are an opportunity for one to learn and improve, and to be able to come back even stronger,” he said.

He said the IPC will be scrutinising and holding Swapo and elected councillors to account for service provision.

“It’s not going to be the same as when we were minority partners in coalitions in some of the authorities,” he said.

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