Bribe recipients to be eliminated from Swapo congress race

Swapo has sternly instructed candidates contesting for the vice-president (VP), secretary-general and deputy secretary-general positions to wage ‘comradely’ crusades alongside each other and not to indulge in smear campaigns.Those found to have received or given bribes to advance their campaigns will be eliminated from the race, the party further warned yesterday.Party president Hage Geingob also announced his plans to resign in the next few years to make way for the elected VP to take over the reins in order to avoid two centres of power.“As for me, although I am unopposed, I too will step aside at the right occasion to hand over the reins to the cadre who will be entrusted to lead the Swapo Party as its president,” he said.Yesterday, Geingob officially opened the party’s internal election campaign ahead of congress in November. Whoever is elected VP will be Swapo&#039;s candidate in the 2024 national presidential election.Frans Kapofi, who was nominated for the VP position at Saturday’s central committee meeting, withdrew yesterday, leaving only incumbent VP Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Pohamba Shifeta in the race.Geingob emphasised that the campaign will take place in the spirit of Swapo unity, adding that he is convinced that the entire country is interested in the affairs of Swapo, even those who hate the party.“You are not campaigning against enemies and adversaries. You are campaigning to articulate to the masses why you are the most suitable candidates to lead the Swapo Party. It should be that simple.“There is no reason for personal attacks because at the end of the day, we are all expected, as disciplined and revolutionary cadres, to rally behind the winners and help them lead the Swapo Party to victory in the 2024 national elections and beyond,” he said.No brown envelopesThe party’s legal secretary Albert Kawana said the party will not tolerate any bribery and soliciting of votes in exchange of favours.Swapo’s former congress campaigns have been marred with ‘eWallets for votes’ allegations as well as smear campaigns waged by a group of so-called party influencers.Yet, Kawana made it clear that these tendencies will not be tolerated and candidates found in the wrong will be disqualified from the race.He cautioned against social media, especially WhatsApp, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and other means, to promote smear campaigns to discredit candidates standing for the various positions.The guidelines also warned against any candidate who corruptly gives, lends or procures or agrees to give or offer any money or any other thing to any delegate in exchange for votes - or to abstain from voting.Candidates are not to gift delegates or give them loans or money to bribe them to vote for certain candidates at the upcoming congress, and neither are they allowed to make fabricated statements about their opponents or candidates.“Directly or indirectly - by word of mouth or otherwise - circulating a list of unwanted candidates violates the election guidelines. Any candidate who campaigns or behaves in a provocative way or causes division in the party or organises factional activities violates these election guidelines. Those found guilty of violating these guidelines shall be dealt with according to the party rules and candidates who violate the rules risk disqualification from contesting the elections,” Kawana said.jemima@namibiansun.com

Bribe recipients to be eliminated from Swapo congress race

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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Bribe recipients to be eliminated from Swapo congress race

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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