Smith-Howard, IPC to split amicably
Settlement agreement under discussion
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and its former regional councillor Ciske Smith-Howard have smoked the peace pipe, and are set to enter a settlement agreement.
This follows Smith-Howard’s suspension from the party in October 2021 and her subsequent recalling as a councillor on 16 May 2022.
Commenting on the proposed settlement agreement, Smith-Howard said discussions were still ongoing, but it was decided that it would be in the best interest of the two parties to split amicably.
“We did not settle yet; we just agreed to withdraw the case. We agreed to go our separate ways,” she said.
Asked what the future held, she noted that she would engage in private activities for the time being, but maintained that her political days are not yet over.
“Everyone keeps asking me that. I have not made a decision yet, [but] my political days are not over,” she said.
Smith-Howard added that she harboured no ill feelings about the IPC, but maintained her previous sentiments.
“There are no bad feelings. I said what I said previously,” she said briefly.
According to her, any demands for monetary remuneration or reinstatement to her position were not being considered.
No comment
IPC national general secretary Christine Aochamus would not be drawn into commenting, saying discussions were still at an early stage.
“I am unable to disclose any information pertaining to the matter until such time that we have reached finalisation. We will make the necessary pronouncement at the opportune time,” she said.
According to the settlement agreement, the parties agreed that no representation, warranty or undertaking made outside of the agreement - unless put in writing and signed by both parties - will have any effect.
The parties further agreed that the settlement may be signed by counterparts and by their legal practitioners without the validity or effectiveness of the agreement being compromised.
Court cases
In December 2021, Smith-Howard filed a case requesting the court to declare her suspension from IPC invalid.
At the time, she claimed her ‘verbal’ suspension from the party in October 2021 was not in compliance with IPC's constitution as she was not notified of any complaint against her as determined by an independent investigator.
She further claimed that she was not given the opportunity to respond to the allegations that led to her suspension and that she was not informed of her suspension in writing.
In another case, Smith-Howard demanded more than N$1.65 million in damages from the IPC, Auchomas and the Erongo Regional Council.
This follows Smith-Howard’s suspension from the party in October 2021 and her subsequent recalling as a councillor on 16 May 2022.
Commenting on the proposed settlement agreement, Smith-Howard said discussions were still ongoing, but it was decided that it would be in the best interest of the two parties to split amicably.
“We did not settle yet; we just agreed to withdraw the case. We agreed to go our separate ways,” she said.
Asked what the future held, she noted that she would engage in private activities for the time being, but maintained that her political days are not yet over.
“Everyone keeps asking me that. I have not made a decision yet, [but] my political days are not over,” she said.
Smith-Howard added that she harboured no ill feelings about the IPC, but maintained her previous sentiments.
“There are no bad feelings. I said what I said previously,” she said briefly.
According to her, any demands for monetary remuneration or reinstatement to her position were not being considered.
No comment
IPC national general secretary Christine Aochamus would not be drawn into commenting, saying discussions were still at an early stage.
“I am unable to disclose any information pertaining to the matter until such time that we have reached finalisation. We will make the necessary pronouncement at the opportune time,” she said.
According to the settlement agreement, the parties agreed that no representation, warranty or undertaking made outside of the agreement - unless put in writing and signed by both parties - will have any effect.
The parties further agreed that the settlement may be signed by counterparts and by their legal practitioners without the validity or effectiveness of the agreement being compromised.
Court cases
In December 2021, Smith-Howard filed a case requesting the court to declare her suspension from IPC invalid.
At the time, she claimed her ‘verbal’ suspension from the party in October 2021 was not in compliance with IPC's constitution as she was not notified of any complaint against her as determined by an independent investigator.
She further claimed that she was not given the opportunity to respond to the allegations that led to her suspension and that she was not informed of her suspension in writing.
In another case, Smith-Howard demanded more than N$1.65 million in damages from the IPC, Auchomas and the Erongo Regional Council.
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