I won't tolerate anarchy - Kavekotora
Disarray and chaos appears to have overwhelmed the RDP once again.
Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) president Mike Kavekotora has condemned the so-called reconvened third national convention held recently at Otjiwarongo.
The gathering took place allegedly at the behest of Kandy Nehova and Opuwo-based teacher, Tjinezuma Kavari, who failed in their bid to be elected as the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the upcoming general election.
The RDP electoral college earlier this month elected Kavekotora and Kenny Shekupakela as the presidential and VP candidates, respectively.
Kavekotora garnered 243 of the 490 votes, while Nehova received 133 votes and Mirjam Hamutenya 100. There were 14 spoilt ballots.
Kavekotora said at a media conference last week that a Nehova faction letter, drafted by a legal representative, had made several misleading allegations, including that Kavekotora did not obtain a 50+1% majority, as required by the RDP constitution.
The Nehova faction further claimed there is a leadership crisis in the party, because it allegedly does not have a central committee (CC).
The RDP, through its lawyers, responded to the Nehova letter on 4 October that stated the party would defend its position, particularly when it comes to its political agenda of taking part in the National Assembly and presidential elections.
Kavekotora said instead of the Nehova group responding to this, they went ahead and organised the Otjiwarongo gathering.
“This gathering was neither organised by the party structures nor was it sanctioned by the… national executive committee (NEC) or central committee,” Kavekotora said.
“My leadership will not tolerate the violations of the RDP constitution and its provisions, nor shall we entertain lawlessness and anarchy in the RDP.”
Kavekotora said anyone who decides not to abide by the party constitution will have to find another political home, “maybe just for the time being”, but dared Nehova to take the matter to court.
Otjiwarongo gathering
Kavekotora said he does not know how many people were at the Otjiwarongo gathering, but said he was informed that it was attended by a “collection of people” not drawn from the party's structures or the delegates that attended the national convention held in June.
He said the gathering was not attended by the majority of CC, NEC, youth and women's league members, while none of the 15 regional secretaries were in attendance.
The Otjiwarongo gathering elected Nehova as presidential candidate, Kavari as vice-president, Asser Nghiningiluandubo as secretary-general, and Phylicia Hercules as chairperson, a position Kavekotora said does not exist in the RDP constitution.
“[Whoever] has convened a meeting without a mandate must not expect the leadership to recognise such bogus meetings and their decisions remain invalid and unconstitutional. I want to send a sound of warning that anarchy is not permissible and chaos shall not be tolerated in the RDP, particularly under my leadership,” Kavekotora said.
He said the party is investigating an alleged attempt by the Nehova faction to change the signatories of one of the RDP's bank accounts.
CATHERINE SASMAN
The gathering took place allegedly at the behest of Kandy Nehova and Opuwo-based teacher, Tjinezuma Kavari, who failed in their bid to be elected as the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the upcoming general election.
The RDP electoral college earlier this month elected Kavekotora and Kenny Shekupakela as the presidential and VP candidates, respectively.
Kavekotora garnered 243 of the 490 votes, while Nehova received 133 votes and Mirjam Hamutenya 100. There were 14 spoilt ballots.
Kavekotora said at a media conference last week that a Nehova faction letter, drafted by a legal representative, had made several misleading allegations, including that Kavekotora did not obtain a 50+1% majority, as required by the RDP constitution.
The Nehova faction further claimed there is a leadership crisis in the party, because it allegedly does not have a central committee (CC).
The RDP, through its lawyers, responded to the Nehova letter on 4 October that stated the party would defend its position, particularly when it comes to its political agenda of taking part in the National Assembly and presidential elections.
Kavekotora said instead of the Nehova group responding to this, they went ahead and organised the Otjiwarongo gathering.
“This gathering was neither organised by the party structures nor was it sanctioned by the… national executive committee (NEC) or central committee,” Kavekotora said.
“My leadership will not tolerate the violations of the RDP constitution and its provisions, nor shall we entertain lawlessness and anarchy in the RDP.”
Kavekotora said anyone who decides not to abide by the party constitution will have to find another political home, “maybe just for the time being”, but dared Nehova to take the matter to court.
Otjiwarongo gathering
Kavekotora said he does not know how many people were at the Otjiwarongo gathering, but said he was informed that it was attended by a “collection of people” not drawn from the party's structures or the delegates that attended the national convention held in June.
He said the gathering was not attended by the majority of CC, NEC, youth and women's league members, while none of the 15 regional secretaries were in attendance.
The Otjiwarongo gathering elected Nehova as presidential candidate, Kavari as vice-president, Asser Nghiningiluandubo as secretary-general, and Phylicia Hercules as chairperson, a position Kavekotora said does not exist in the RDP constitution.
“[Whoever] has convened a meeting without a mandate must not expect the leadership to recognise such bogus meetings and their decisions remain invalid and unconstitutional. I want to send a sound of warning that anarchy is not permissible and chaos shall not be tolerated in the RDP, particularly under my leadership,” Kavekotora said.
He said the party is investigating an alleged attempt by the Nehova faction to change the signatories of one of the RDP's bank accounts.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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