Swapo power struggle in Omaheke and Oshana

SWAPO’s secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana had to intervene to clarify the issue around the position of the party’s regional coordinator in an effort to unite factions fighting in the Omaheke Region.

The divided groups are led by the acting Omaheke Regional Swapo coordinator Job Muniaro, and Member of Parliament (MP) Festus Ueitele, who occupied that position before taking up his seat in the National Assembly.During last week’s meeting of the Swapo regional executive committee in the Omaheke Region in Gobabis the chairman of the assigned leaders for Swapo, Dr.Albert Kawana, appointed leaders for the Region. He was accompanied by Iivula-Ithana.’The purpose for the visit of the secretary general was to inform the regional executive members on the decision taken by the Swapo Central Committee that all structures should be in place and the regional conferences should take place before the end of June. The issue of the misunderstanding with regard to the position of the regional coordinator for the Omaheke Region was also clarified.’According to Dr Kawana, Ueitele was informed at the meeting that he is no longer the regional coordinator, but only one of the assigned leaders to the region.’He is now an MP and he confirmed to the meeting that he is no longer the regional coordinator, but that Muniaro is acting in that position until a new one is chosen at the regional conference.’Complaints were received that Ueitele still operates as if he is the regional coordinator and when approached he told The Namibian that he is not allowed to divulge any information about the meeting.’That was a decision taken at the meeting and I don’t know what powers do Kawana have to inform you about the issues discussed.’One of the problems experienced is that Ueitele refused to give up his bank signatory powers and the party was forced to open another bank account. ‘The Swapo constitution is very clear on it. It does not mention acting regional coordinator, but specific regional coordinator,’ said Ueitele. In a related matter in the Oshana Region, the former regional coordinator, Erastus Uutoni, now Deputy Minister of Safety and Security is also said to be clinging to that position.He was replaced by Erastus Kapolo in an acting position. Uutoni told The Namibian that at times he will only give advice to the region. ‘Keep in mind that I am one of the assigned leaders in the region.’Iivula-Ithana made it very clear that a person cannot be a Deputy Minister, operating from Windhoek, and then try to run the affairs of another region.’The issue was not brought under my attention but this is not allowed in terms of the party rules. The position of Deputy Minister is a full time job and so is that of a regional coordinator. I will look into the issue,’ Iivula-Ithana told The Namibian.