Helao Nafidi tussle remains unresolved
The controversial case of the Helao Nafidi Town Council, where an elected Swapo candidate was snubbed and replaced, and is now fighting for her position, has ended in deadlock.
This follows a meeting held in Windhoek this week in an attempt to resolve the impasse.
The saga emerged in December 2015 after the local authority elections.
Ester Ndatala Nghidimbwa was sworn in as a councillor in the Helao Town Council instead of Lucia Nghililewanga, who featured on the party list when the electorate went to the polls.
Since then, Nghililewanga has been asking the party to help her get her position back.
She says it rightfully belongs to her, but her attempts have been unsuccessful.
Swapo tried to resolve the issue last year after admitting the mistake and calling for the removal of Nghidimbwa on the council.
Nghidimbwa did not take the instruction lightly and approached the High Court with an urgent application, interdicting Swapo from installing Nghililewanga into council. The court still has to rule on the matter.
Nghidimbwa still serves on the council and has been present at a number of council meetings Namibian Sun attended.
Meanwhile, Namibian Sun has been reliably informed that at Monday's meeting, Swapo attempted to resolve the matter before the date of the High Court judgement set for 21 June. However, no agreement could be reached.
Namibian Sun is informed that last week Swapo secretary-general, Nangolo Mbumba summoned Nghidimbwa, Nghililewanga, Swapo Ohangwena regional coordinator Hafeni Hatutale and mobiliser Tuyeimo Nathingo to the Monday meeting, which took place at the Swapo headquarters in Windhoek.
Also at the meeting was chairperson of Swapo national leaders assigned to Ohangwena Erkki Nghimtina, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta and economic planning minister, Tom Alweendo, among others.
It is said Mbumba called on the members to see how best they could solve the situation.
His efforts, according to sources, were in vain as Nghidimbwa and Nghililewanga apparently entered into a war of words, accusing one another.
A source informed Namibian Sun that at no point in the meeting was support given to Nghililewanga.
Mbumba adjourned the meeting and it is understood that the issue has been referred to the Politburo.
Attempts to get comment from Mbumba proved futile, while Hatutale's telephone went unanswered.
Ngililewanga confirmed that she was summoned to the meeting but declined to give more details of the meeting.
She, however, hopes the party “will do the right thing and install her into council”.
Nghidimbwa's lawyer Henry Shimutwikeni said he was unaware of the meeting that took place on Monday.
KENYA KAMBOWE
This follows a meeting held in Windhoek this week in an attempt to resolve the impasse.
The saga emerged in December 2015 after the local authority elections.
Ester Ndatala Nghidimbwa was sworn in as a councillor in the Helao Town Council instead of Lucia Nghililewanga, who featured on the party list when the electorate went to the polls.
Since then, Nghililewanga has been asking the party to help her get her position back.
She says it rightfully belongs to her, but her attempts have been unsuccessful.
Swapo tried to resolve the issue last year after admitting the mistake and calling for the removal of Nghidimbwa on the council.
Nghidimbwa did not take the instruction lightly and approached the High Court with an urgent application, interdicting Swapo from installing Nghililewanga into council. The court still has to rule on the matter.
Nghidimbwa still serves on the council and has been present at a number of council meetings Namibian Sun attended.
Meanwhile, Namibian Sun has been reliably informed that at Monday's meeting, Swapo attempted to resolve the matter before the date of the High Court judgement set for 21 June. However, no agreement could be reached.
Namibian Sun is informed that last week Swapo secretary-general, Nangolo Mbumba summoned Nghidimbwa, Nghililewanga, Swapo Ohangwena regional coordinator Hafeni Hatutale and mobiliser Tuyeimo Nathingo to the Monday meeting, which took place at the Swapo headquarters in Windhoek.
Also at the meeting was chairperson of Swapo national leaders assigned to Ohangwena Erkki Nghimtina, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta and economic planning minister, Tom Alweendo, among others.
It is said Mbumba called on the members to see how best they could solve the situation.
His efforts, according to sources, were in vain as Nghidimbwa and Nghililewanga apparently entered into a war of words, accusing one another.
A source informed Namibian Sun that at no point in the meeting was support given to Nghililewanga.
Mbumba adjourned the meeting and it is understood that the issue has been referred to the Politburo.
Attempts to get comment from Mbumba proved futile, while Hatutale's telephone went unanswered.
Ngililewanga confirmed that she was summoned to the meeting but declined to give more details of the meeting.
She, however, hopes the party “will do the right thing and install her into council”.
Nghidimbwa's lawyer Henry Shimutwikeni said he was unaware of the meeting that took place on Monday.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article