Napwu leadership race begins

CRACKS are beginning to appear in the leadership of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) as its planned August congress draws closer.The general secretary of the union, Petrus Nevonga, has come in for criticism from some regional leaders for positioning himself for re-election.He has been accused of sending out emissaries to the regions to campaign for his re-election.

Another issue that has irked regional leaders is what they see as unconstitutional wrangling by Nevonga to influence the election of union leaders and office bearers at the congress.Nevonga has denied doing anything unconstitutional, saying all his actions are guided by the union’s constitution.Nevonga shrugged off as “irrelevant” claims of a group sent out to campaign for him. “We have a duty as a union to communicate to members countrywide. We have an obligation to our members to reach them in the regions and talk to them, giving a service to the members,” he insisted.“I heard of people touring the regions but I do not know what their agenda is,” commented outspoken Napwu CEC member Ikera Shivute. “It’s a worry why people have to go to the regions now. Every time people tour the regions, it is always the same people Nevonga chooses to tour the regions,” Shivute added. The second deputy president of Napwu, Moses Ikanga, also commented that the “mission” of the group in the regions is unclear to him. “If, however, it was aimed at any campaign for an individual with Napwu resources, that would mean that investigations will be done and necessary action shall be taken,” Ikanga said. On May 30, Nevonga wrote a letter to all Napwu regional chairpersons and regional coordinators in which he wrote that each region is expected to nominate candidates for the positions of union president, first and second deputy presidents, national treasurer and deputy treasurer, national secretary and deputy secretary, general secretary and deputy general secretary. In the letter Nevonga said the regions are also required to nominate people to serve as members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and National Executive Committee (NEC). He wrote that the regions would be informed about the number of CEC and NEC positions allocated to each region. Shivute, CEC member at Walvis Bay, yesterday said although he had not seen the letter, the instructions go against the grain of the Napwu constitution. “Nominations and elections should take place from the [congress] floor. First to nominate from the regions is totally wrong,” said Shivute. “This would mean that delegates go to the congress and have nothing to say. Regional chairpersons cannot nominate on behalf of the members. They are only there to represent regions. The congress consists of more than 1 000 people.” Shivute added: “This time around we must stick to the constitution; this time around really the people have to air their own views.” “We have to follow the constitution,” agreed regional executive committee member of the north Weich Mupiya, who also said that he had not yet seen Nevonga’s instructions. Mupiya said he would discuss the matter with deputy general secretary Gabes Anduba today. It is understood that the August congress will be a watershed with an increasing clamour for Nevonga to be removed from his position. The letter sent out to the regions is seen as a desperate attempt by Nevonga to remain in his position, but pressure is mounting as workers at a National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) CEC meeting in Windhoek last year adopted a vote of no confidence in him. He was also forced out as a union trustee member on the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) board. This year he was accused of having unilaterally and without a mandate negotiated on behalf of workers during the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) labour stand-off. And Napwu member figures are reportedly dwindling at a number of institutions where Napwu has in the past enjoyed a comfortable majority. “My view is that Nevonga should not be seen in isolation when events happened which do not favour the union; the entire leadership is to be blamed,” said Ikanga to this. “Why would the leadership accept good things done by Nevonga but on the other hand when something goes wrong, want to be excused from such misfortune? Napwu leaders must step up and start to work in the interest of the workers.”