Swapo tells local councils to toe the line

SWAPO has instructed all municipalities under its control not to change mayors or other key positions on their councils in the run-up to the November national elections.

In previous years Swapo found it difficult to deal with fallouts in the aftermath of such council elections, as the party’s local councillors were divided by mistrust and it ultimately affected the party’s national election campaign.In 2007, the party’s leaders were left red-faced when its members on the Caprivi Regional Council decided to elect Leonard Mwilima as Governor, going against the party’s instruction that they keep Bernard Sibalatani.The party had sent a directive to all the regions under its control that they should re-elect the governors. The Caprivi Region was the only region that did not follow the directive and despite various attempts by the party to get the Caprivi regional councillors to reverse their decision to elect Mwilima, the councillors stood their ground and refused to give in to pressure.A high-powered delegation to the Caprivi Region led by Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana also failed to change the councillors’ stance.On Tuesday, Ithana said the Swapo Politburo wants all mayors and chairpersons of management committees retained ‘to allow consolidation of their mandate and implement local economic development plans’.’Any changes in this regard must be brought about in consultation with the party leadership,’ she said.The same Politburo, however, endorsed the controversial removal of Otjozondjupa Governor Theo Eiseb, who was recently replaced by Otjiwarongo constituency councillor Ferdinand Kavetuna after the Council claimed poor health had prevented Eiseb from carrying out his work.Earlier reports said Eiseb was removed without his consent and that he was going to resign as councillor. Such a resignation would force a regional by-election.Ithana thanked Eiseb for stepping aside and welcomed Kavetuna.She called on the Otjozondjupa Region to remain united in action for change and said Eiseb will continue as constituency councillor for Okahandja.The Politburo decision means that people like Oshakati Mayor Katrina Shimbulu will remain in their positions despite claims that they were about to be removed by the ruling party.Some Swapo insiders have been claiming since 2007 that Shimbulu was a sympathiser of the Rally for Democracy and Progress, an allegation she has consistently denied.christof@namibian.com.na