Alarm raised over ‘starvation’ tactic
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor said it is impossible for the ruling party to starve a local authority that is not under its control.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Concerns have been raised over the Swapo-led central government ‘starving’ local authorities of funds where opposition parties will either be governing alone or in coalition after the 2020 regional and local authority elections.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Nico Smit said this exact scenario had played out when the Keetmanshoop municipality was under the control of the then DTA in 2013.
With more than 93 independent candidates, 18 political parties and 13 associations ready to contest next month’s election, this scenario is highly likely to repeat itself, Smit said.
He pointed out the divisions amongst political parties also aggravates this situation.
“It makes it very difficult when the opposition voice is so badly divided that you are in majority but you cannot really rule. This allows the ruling party with its representatives to approach another political opposition to form a coalition, which strengthens its grip,” Smit said.
Great chance
Smit added the PDM’s plan to form a bigger coalition with other political parties failed dismally; however, he is confident that opposition parties have a great chance to secure majorities in local and regional authorities.
“I think the opposition parties must do very serious introspection and establish what their purpose really is. We need to unite to present a stronger front to Swapo,” he said.
‘Political suicide’
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said strong competition is the first thing that would force Swapo to change its ways and to do more for the electorate.
“I hope that even if Swapo has lost some of the constituencies, they would not use this as a political tool to suppress some political parties. Should they, however, do it, that would be political suicide, because it is against our development agenda,” he said.
‘Impossible’
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor said it is impossible for the ruling party to starve a local authority that is not under its control.
She also dismissed the likelihood of minority parties taking control of local authorities after next month’s election.
“I remember Keetmanshoop Urban was of course controlled by the then DTA. If someone is in control, you expect that person to deliver and not to shift the blame... When Swapo took over, you could see development in different aspects,” she said.
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WINDHOEK
Concerns have been raised over the Swapo-led central government ‘starving’ local authorities of funds where opposition parties will either be governing alone or in coalition after the 2020 regional and local authority elections.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Nico Smit said this exact scenario had played out when the Keetmanshoop municipality was under the control of the then DTA in 2013.
With more than 93 independent candidates, 18 political parties and 13 associations ready to contest next month’s election, this scenario is highly likely to repeat itself, Smit said.
He pointed out the divisions amongst political parties also aggravates this situation.
“It makes it very difficult when the opposition voice is so badly divided that you are in majority but you cannot really rule. This allows the ruling party with its representatives to approach another political opposition to form a coalition, which strengthens its grip,” Smit said.
Great chance
Smit added the PDM’s plan to form a bigger coalition with other political parties failed dismally; however, he is confident that opposition parties have a great chance to secure majorities in local and regional authorities.
“I think the opposition parties must do very serious introspection and establish what their purpose really is. We need to unite to present a stronger front to Swapo,” he said.
‘Political suicide’
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said strong competition is the first thing that would force Swapo to change its ways and to do more for the electorate.
“I hope that even if Swapo has lost some of the constituencies, they would not use this as a political tool to suppress some political parties. Should they, however, do it, that would be political suicide, because it is against our development agenda,” he said.
‘Impossible’
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor said it is impossible for the ruling party to starve a local authority that is not under its control.
She also dismissed the likelihood of minority parties taking control of local authorities after next month’s election.
“I remember Keetmanshoop Urban was of course controlled by the then DTA. If someone is in control, you expect that person to deliver and not to shift the blame... When Swapo took over, you could see development in different aspects,” she said.
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