‘She’s ours!’: Swapo and UDF in fight over Councillor

KHORIXAS found itself back at the centre of political controversy yesterday with two parties laying claim to the same Councillor.

Swapo objected when the United Democratic Front announced Elizabeth Goreses as one of its new councillors. In a heated atmosphere within the Khorixas Town Council chambers, Swapo claimed Goreses was a card-carrying member of the ruling party.Swapo Councillor Bernadette Jagger said Goreses joined Swapo in February 2000 and received her signed card in March last year.”She has never resigned or was never expelled by Swapo. I am the ear and eye of Swapo in the Council and cannot allow such things to happen,” Jagger told The Namibian.UDF MP Gustafine Tjombe argued that Goreses joined the opposition party as long ago as last May after Swapo failed to honour promises to her.She claimed that Swapo had lured people to join the ruling party by promising them food.Jagger said Swapo had never promised food to members because it was “a party that promotes hard work”.After listening to both parties’ arguments, Magistrate Alexia Diergaardt – who was present to swear in the new councillors – called for a break to allow the parties to resolve the issue by negotiation.Jagger later said Swapo was reluctantly allowing Goreses to be sworn in but was making its feelings known in a letter of objection addressed to the head office of the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing.The UDF recently removed Khorixas Mayor Gerson Goagoseb; Chairman of the Management Committee Erwin /Howaseb; and a Management Committee member, Petrus Ukongo, all of whom had been UDF members.UDF President Justus //Garoeb said the three were being “reshuffled” due to popular demand.He said the inhabitants of Khorixas had made it clear the three no longer served their interests.The trio were replaced by Goreses, Andreas !Aebeb and Immanuel //Garoeb.In a heated atmosphere within the Khorixas Town Council chambers, Swapo claimed Goreses was a card-carrying member of the ruling party. Swapo Councillor Bernadette Jagger said Goreses joined Swapo in February 2000 and received her signed card in March last year. “She has never resigned or was never expelled by Swapo. I am the ear and eye of Swapo in the Council and cannot allow such things to happen,” Jagger told The Namibian. UDF MP Gustafine Tjombe argued that Goreses joined the opposition party as long ago as last May after Swapo failed to honour promises to her. She claimed that Swapo had lured people to join the ruling party by promising them food. Jagger said Swapo had never promised food to members because it was “a party that promotes hard work”. After listening to both parties’ arguments, Magistrate Alexia Diergaardt – who was present to swear in the new councillors – called for a break to allow the parties to resolve the issue by negotiation. Jagger later said Swapo was reluctantly allowing Goreses to be sworn in but was making its feelings known in a letter of objection addressed to the head office of the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing. The UDF recently removed Khorixas Mayor Gerson Goagoseb; Chairman of the Management Committee Erwin /Howaseb; and a Management Committee member, Petrus Ukongo, all of whom had been UDF members. UDF President Justus //Garoeb said the three were being “reshuffled” due to popular demand. He said the inhabitants of Khorixas had made it clear the three no longer served their interests. The trio were replaced by Goreses, Andreas !Aebeb and Immanuel //Garoeb.