Rival Swapo factions trade punches

SWAPO Regional Co-ordinator for the Omaheke Region, Festus Ueitele, is at the centre of assault allegations after a fracas broke out between rival party supporters at Gobabis on Tuesday evening.

The fiasco was a sequel to ongoing internal Swapo feuding ahead of the party’s primary elections in the region, which have pitted Governor Laura McLeod against the National Co-ordinator of the Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation, Ambrosius Kandjii. Ueitele is accused of having punched Swapo Party Youth League’s District Secretary for Epukiro, Sadrag Kanguatjivi.Ueitele has denied attacking anyone.”There are many unfounded accusations against me, but I know that I did not beat anyone … if I did then the person should go and lay a charge with the Police so that we can follow the normal legal process,” he said yesterday.Ueitele declined to comment on alleged confrontation between party followers, stressing that he still had to brief the Swapo head office first.But Kanguatjivi and some eyewitnesses were adamant that the regional co-ordinator physically assaulted the Youth League official.”It’s true he punched me on the chest before shoving and pushing me around,” Kanguatjivi told The Namibian, adding that he had laid a complaint with the Police “for protection”.Ueitele is accused by Kandjii’s supporters of campaigning for Governor McLeod – a charge he denies.The Gobabis constituency, like others in the region, will hold primaries on Saturday to determine the winner of the ruling party ticket to the upcoming Regional and Local Authority elections later this year.McLeod and Kandjii are the only candidates vying for the Gobabis constituency seat.Their campaign to outwit one another is said to have degenerated into a mudslinging match.The Namibian has learned that top leaders from the party’s head office in Windhoek were on several occasions called in to intervene.According to sources, the latest stand-off came when both candidates went on house-to-house campaign trails to the Gobabis Single Quarters – Swapo’s main stronghold at the town.But the trips reportedly turned ugly and nearly ended in a “free-for-all” punch-up when rival supporters resorted to name calling.The fracas, which apparently started an hour before midnight, lasted until around 03h00, sources said.Calm was only restored after an elderly community leader intervened.Kandjii is said to have edged ahead of his rival.He has reportedly been nominated at two branch meetings compared to McLeod’s single nomination.The remaining four branches have yet to make their nominations.Ueitele is accused of having punched Swapo Party Youth League’s District Secretary for Epukiro, Sadrag Kanguatjivi. Ueitele has denied attacking anyone. “There are many unfounded accusations against me, but I know that I did not beat anyone … if I did then the person should go and lay a charge with the Police so that we can follow the normal legal process,” he said yesterday. Ueitele declined to comment on alleged confrontation between party followers, stressing that he still had to brief the Swapo head office first. But Kanguatjivi and some eyewitnesses were adamant that the regional co-ordinator physically assaulted the Youth League official. “It’s true he punched me on the chest before shoving and pushing me around,” Kanguatjivi told The Namibian, adding that he had laid a complaint with the Police “for protection”. Ueitele is accused by Kandjii’s supporters of campaigning for Governor McLeod – a charge he denies. The Gobabis constituency, like others in the region, will hold primaries on Saturday to determine the winner of the ruling party ticket to the upcoming Regional and Local Authority elections later this year. McLeod and Kandjii are the only candidates vying for the Gobabis constituency seat. Their campaign to outwit one another is said to have degenerated into a mudslinging match. The Namibian has learned that top leaders from the party’s head office in Windhoek were on several occasions called in to intervene. According to sources, the latest stand-off came when both candidates went on house-to-house campaign trails to the Gobabis Single Quarters – Swapo’s main stronghold at the town. But the trips reportedly turned ugly and nearly ended in a “free-for-all” punch-up when rival supporters resorted to name calling. The fracas, which apparently started an hour before midnight, lasted until around 03h00, sources said. Calm was only restored after an elderly community leader intervened. Kandjii is said to have edged ahead of his rival. He has reportedly been nominated at two branch meetings compared to McLeod’s single nomination. The remaining four branches have yet to make their nominations.