We’re as pure as the driven snow, say Ulenga group

THE Congress of Democrats group led by Ben Ulenga yesterday declared itself “innocent” of alleged wrongdoing at a recent congress where a new leadership was controversially elected.

The statement came barely 24 hours after an audit report, which found “conclusive proof of serious irregularities” at the congress, was made public. But Tsudao Gurirab, who was elected chairman at the disputed Keetmanshoop gathering, would have none of it.”The audit report does not accuse the so-called Ulenga group of a single wrongdoing,” Gurirab charged in Windhoek yesterday.He was reacting to the findings of a specially appointed audit panel, agreed on by both CoD factions, which investigated irregularities at Keetmanshoop, where CoD held an extraordinary congress to elect new leaders three months ago.”It is now clear that the initial petulance of the rebels was conceived in dishonesty, lies and a self-serving egos, for the report does not support any of their flimsy reasons for absconding from the congress nor their subsequent lies,” Gurirab claimed.After allegations of foul play at the congress were aired, Ulenga publicly declared that he and his “entire elected leadership team” would step down should the audit prove that there had been any irregularities.Gurirab’s comments fly in the face of views held by the ‘rebel group’ under Ignatius Shixwameni, which walked out at Keetmanshoop after Shixwameni was narrowly beaten out by Ulenga in controversial elections.Shixwameni on Monday said the panel had found two cases of “fraud and cheating” and had declared the party elections null and void.Both CoD groups signed the terms of reference of the audit panel and agreed that “should the panel find that the alleged irregularities at the extraordinary congress warrant a nullification of the proceedings and election results, the (two) parties agree to such nullifications and the newly elected leadership shall step down”.The audit report listed several double listings of delegates’ names and a case where somebody who was not an official delegate voted instead of an elected delegate.Exactly these two issues were the core of the accusations made by the Shixwameni group before the independent audit, but yesterday Gurirab chose to brush them aside as “lies.”Asked whether he and Ulenga, as well as the other CoD leaders “elected” at Keetmanshoop, would now step down as agreed, Gurirab was evasive.He referred to a part of the signed agreement and said the word “warrant” was crucial.He did not say so explicitly, but implied that if his group did not find a nullification of the Keetmanshoop results necessary – the audit said there was sufficient fraud and cheating to nullify the elections – it need not step down.The two groups had further agreed to meet three days after the audit report was completed, which would be tomorrow, under the auspices of the panel to “agree on an interim leadership” selected from both groups to run the party affairs until new leaders are elected at a congress.”The parties abide by these terms of reference, and the findings and the recommendations of the panel,” the document concluded.The Ulenga group will hold a meeting this weekend to discuss the way ahead.The group led by Shixwameni will hold another press briefing today.But Tsudao Gurirab, who was elected chairman at the disputed Keetmanshoop gathering, would have none of it.”The audit report does not accuse the so-called Ulenga group of a single wrongdoing,” Gurirab charged in Windhoek yesterday.He was reacting to the findings of a specially appointed audit panel, agreed on by both CoD factions, which investigated irregularities at Keetmanshoop, where CoD held an extraordinary congress to elect new leaders three months ago.”It is now clear that the initial petulance of the rebels was conceived in dishonesty, lies and a self-serving egos, for the report does not support any of their flimsy reasons for absconding from the congress nor their subsequent lies,” Gurirab claimed.After allegations of foul play at the congress were aired, Ulenga publicly declared that he and his “entire elected leadership team” would step down should the audit prove that there had been any irregularities.Gurirab’s comments fly in the face of views held by the ‘rebel group’ under Ignatius Shixwameni, which walked out at Keetmanshoop after Shixwameni was narrowly beaten out by Ulenga in controversial elections. Shixwameni on Monday said the panel had found two cases of “fraud and cheating” and had declared the party elections null and void.Both CoD groups signed the terms of reference of the audit panel and agreed that “should the panel find that the alleged irregularities at the extraordinary congress warrant a nullification of the proceedings and election results, the (two) parties agree to such nullifications and the newly elected leadership shall step down”.The audit report listed several double listings of delegates’ names and a case where somebody who was not an official delegate voted instead of an elected delegate.Exactly these two issues were the core of the accusations made by the Shixwameni group before the independent audit, but yesterday Gurirab chose to brush them aside as “lies.”Asked whether he and Ulenga, as well as the other CoD leaders “elected” at Keetmanshoop, would now step down as agreed, Gurirab was evasive.He referred to a part of the signed agreement and said the word “warrant” was crucial.He did not say so explicitly, but implied that if his group did not find a nullification of the Keetmanshoop results necessary – the audit said there was sufficient fraud and cheating to nullify the elections – it need not step down.The two groups had further agreed to meet three days after the audit report was completed, which would be tomorrow, under the auspices of the panel to “agree on an interim leadership” selected from both groups to run the party affairs until new leaders are elected at a congress.”The parties abide by these terms of reference, and the findings and the recommendations of the panel,” the document concluded.The Ulenga group will hold a meeting this weekend to discuss the way ahead.The group led by Shixwameni will hold another press briefing today.