‘Fuming’ Shaningwa storms out of CC meeting
SG tells Mumbala not to ‘scratch where it’s not itching’
After questions on why the party's preparatory machinery was still not running at full throttle, the secretary-general gave members a piece of her mind before making an unceremonious exit.
The ruling party’s central committee members got the shock of their lives during Friday’s meeting when secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa stormed out halfway through proceedings.
Insiders said Shaningwa did not take lightly to allegations that she is the reason why the party’s preparatory structures for next month’s elective indaba are not in place yet – just one month before over 700 delegates converge to elect a new leadership that will lead the party for the next five years.
The meeting started off on a calm note, with central committee members briefly discussing the main agenda item - party veteran Jerry Ekandjo’s request to be allowed to contest against Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Pohamba Shifeta for the vice-presidency position.
Namibian Sun understands it took the members less than 30 minutes to overwhelmingly reach consensus that allowing Ekandjo into the race is not in the best interest of the party as it might open the door for other potential candidates to follow suit.
After that, the central committee discussed the issue of working committees for congress that are yet to be constituted as well as the rules of engagements those vying for the top four positions must follow.
This item was tabled by Swapo //Karas regional coordinator Matthew Mumbala, who feels candidates are ignoring campaign rules.
Scratch the itch
Mumbala accused all three vice-president candidates of transporting non-congress delegates from region to region, a move which he said is contrary to what the rules prescribe.
He also expressed concerns about the delay regarding the committees that are not in place yet.
His concerns come days after central committee member Peya Mushelenga wrote to Shaningwa, questioning why the party’s preparatory machinery was still not running at full throttle despite congress being around the corner.
The secretary-general did not take lightly to the concerns raised, a situation which seemingly triggered her temper when she lashed out at Mumbala.
“Mumbala, do not scratch where it is not itching, please! I do not know why you guys [Mushelenga and Mumbala] are trying to humiliate and insult me,” she charged before storming out of the venue, leaving her comrades in utter shock.
According to a central committee source: “We expected the secretary-general to return, but the meeting concluded without her. The concerns around us as a party being late with our preparations are genuine; I do not know why she got worked up instead of just addressing the concerns”.
Fishrot headache
Shaningwa has not had it easy since taking over the party’s reins as its top administrator in 2017. Her biggest challenge has been the public relations battle which emanated from the Fishrot scandal.
On Saturday, while speaking at a rally in Omuthiya, Shaningwa said the party lost its two-thirds majority during the last elections because of Fishrot.
This subsequently translated into its income from its seats in the National Council and the National Assembly being reduced.
“The party’s name was used by some individuals and I was summoned by the Anti-Corruption Commission [ACC] in my capacity as secretary-general to clear records on behalf of the party.
“I had to go through all the party books, accounts and bank statements to attest that the party did not receive a cent from those illicit deals and, as secretary-general, I had to call in a reputable auditing firm to perform an independent audit. Nothing was found within the party’s accounts,” Shaningwa defended.
She also emphasised that there are only two people in the party who have signatory power over its finances - herself and secretary for finance, Tjekero Tweya - and dismissed claims that the party benefitted from Fishrot money.
Insiders said Shaningwa did not take lightly to allegations that she is the reason why the party’s preparatory structures for next month’s elective indaba are not in place yet – just one month before over 700 delegates converge to elect a new leadership that will lead the party for the next five years.
The meeting started off on a calm note, with central committee members briefly discussing the main agenda item - party veteran Jerry Ekandjo’s request to be allowed to contest against Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Pohamba Shifeta for the vice-presidency position.
Namibian Sun understands it took the members less than 30 minutes to overwhelmingly reach consensus that allowing Ekandjo into the race is not in the best interest of the party as it might open the door for other potential candidates to follow suit.
After that, the central committee discussed the issue of working committees for congress that are yet to be constituted as well as the rules of engagements those vying for the top four positions must follow.
This item was tabled by Swapo //Karas regional coordinator Matthew Mumbala, who feels candidates are ignoring campaign rules.
Scratch the itch
Mumbala accused all three vice-president candidates of transporting non-congress delegates from region to region, a move which he said is contrary to what the rules prescribe.
He also expressed concerns about the delay regarding the committees that are not in place yet.
His concerns come days after central committee member Peya Mushelenga wrote to Shaningwa, questioning why the party’s preparatory machinery was still not running at full throttle despite congress being around the corner.
The secretary-general did not take lightly to the concerns raised, a situation which seemingly triggered her temper when she lashed out at Mumbala.
“Mumbala, do not scratch where it is not itching, please! I do not know why you guys [Mushelenga and Mumbala] are trying to humiliate and insult me,” she charged before storming out of the venue, leaving her comrades in utter shock.
According to a central committee source: “We expected the secretary-general to return, but the meeting concluded without her. The concerns around us as a party being late with our preparations are genuine; I do not know why she got worked up instead of just addressing the concerns”.
Fishrot headache
Shaningwa has not had it easy since taking over the party’s reins as its top administrator in 2017. Her biggest challenge has been the public relations battle which emanated from the Fishrot scandal.
On Saturday, while speaking at a rally in Omuthiya, Shaningwa said the party lost its two-thirds majority during the last elections because of Fishrot.
This subsequently translated into its income from its seats in the National Council and the National Assembly being reduced.
“The party’s name was used by some individuals and I was summoned by the Anti-Corruption Commission [ACC] in my capacity as secretary-general to clear records on behalf of the party.
“I had to go through all the party books, accounts and bank statements to attest that the party did not receive a cent from those illicit deals and, as secretary-general, I had to call in a reputable auditing firm to perform an independent audit. Nothing was found within the party’s accounts,” Shaningwa defended.
She also emphasised that there are only two people in the party who have signatory power over its finances - herself and secretary for finance, Tjekero Tweya - and dismissed claims that the party benefitted from Fishrot money.
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