Kauandenge demoted

NATIONAL Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) Secretary General, Joseph Kauandenge, has been demoted after the party found him guilty on close to 10 counts of misconduct.

Nudo Administrative Secretary and Deputy Head of Information, Meundju Jahanika, confirmed to The Namibian that the youthful Kauandenge had “reluctantly” agreed to relinquish his top position as the party’s third-in-command. He has been given a new role as one of Nudo President Kuaima Riruako’s string of advisors.”There were about 14 charges against him and he was found guilty on close to ten of them …. the DC (disciplinary committee) then recommended that he should not be put back as secretary general, but rather be moved to the President’s Advisory Council,” said Jahanika.Kauandenge, who was been on suspension for the last three weeks, was hauled before the DC on Wednesday at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region.Nudo has so far refused to publicly list the charges against Kauandenge, but The Namibian learned through party insiders that the charges against him ranged from financial mismanagement to breach of the party’s code of conduct.The hearing was apparently held at Otjiwarongo for logistical reasons.Last week, Kauandenge gave the Nudo leadership an ultimatum of 48 hours to bring him before a DC, failing which he would either quit the party or challenge his suspension in court.None of the threats – which according to him, “could divide the party”, ever materialised.He has been given a new role as one of Nudo President Kuaima Riruako’s string of advisors.”There were about 14 charges against him and he was found guilty on close to ten of them …. the DC (disciplinary committee) then recommended that he should not be put back as secretary general, but rather be moved to the President’s Advisory Council,” said Jahanika.Kauandenge, who was been on suspension for the last three weeks, was hauled before the DC on Wednesday at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region.Nudo has so far refused to publicly list the charges against Kauandenge, but The Namibian learned through party insiders that the charges against him ranged from financial mismanagement to breach of the party’s code of conduct.The hearing was apparently held at Otjiwarongo for logistical reasons.Last week, Kauandenge gave the Nudo leadership an ultimatum of 48 hours to bring him before a DC, failing which he would either quit the party or challenge his suspension in court.None of the threats – which according to him, “could divide the party”, ever materialised.