Nudo silently reinstates ‘snakes’

The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) has silently reinstated three senior party members it had suspended and expelled in 2020, with party president Esther Utjiua Muinjangue at the time calling the trio ‘snakes’ who were plotting against the party.

Ambros Mundjindjiri, then the Okakarara constituency coordinator, as well as Okakarara branch coordinator Jackson Ngairo were both suspended, while former constituency councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu was expelled.

At the time, Muinjangue defended the party’s hard-line stance against the trio, saying: “For me, when something is happening, then that is the right time to act. I cannot remain with snakes in my house that are just waiting to bite,” she said.

Kandorozu was accused of orchestrating a campaign against Muinjangue and Nudo after he allegedly urged his supporters not to vote for her as a presidential candidate, opting for former independent candidate Panduleni Itula.

Namibian Sun understands that Nudo’s central committee resolved to welcome all axed party members back into the fold earlier this year.

Party insiders said a heated January central committee meeting saw various factions going against each other regarding the reinstatement.

Some wanted the suspended members to return with their previous status and positions, while another group pushed for axed members to return as ordinary members.

‘Done with Nudo’

“All suspended and expelled members will be reinstated as party members without their previous positions. They will just become ordinary members,” a letter by party secretary-general Josef Kauandenge read.

Both Kauandenge and Kandorozu confirmed the reinstatement yesterday.

When contacted for comment, Ngairo said “I do not want to deal with any Nudo issues because I am done with Nudo”.

“The central committee deliberated and voted on that matter. The majority were of the view that they should return as ordinary members because of the damage they have to the party,” Kauandenge said.

With the Nudo constitution making provision for former party members who served as public office-bearers to serve as ex-officio members on the party’s highest decision-making body in between congresses, Kandorozu had his reservations about the reinstatement.

“Before I accept or reject your letter and the lifting of my expulsion, please provide clarity to me on whether this [provision] will apply to me or not, as I was a party public office-bearer, and I am now a former party public representative? Will I be a member of the national council of the party or not?” he questioned.

Political tactic

Kandorozu’s supporters feel the move to reinstate him as an ordinary member is a political tactic to prevent him from contesting for the party’s top position at congress later this year.

Meanwhile, those in support of the party’s move hold the view that Kandorozu’s decision to campaign for Itula instead of the party’s leader has dented Nudo's credibility in the eyes of the electorate.

The party's national council will meet in two weeks’ time to decide on a congress date.