Disgruntled members close Swapo regional office

Some 300 Swapo members, led by businessman Sigo Amunyela, last Friday afternoon closed the Swapo Party Oshana regional office at Oshakati after asking the office employees to vacate the building.

The closing down of the office followed a protest held some two weeks ago in front of the same office by the same group, demanding that the party's coordinator, Samuel Nelongo, resign with immediate effect.

Speaking during the closing down of the office, Amunyela claimed that Nelongo is using the office to promote the interests of 2019 independent presidential candidate, Dr Panduleni Itula.

He said his group closed the office in defence of Swapo, its constitution and policies.

“We are closing down the party's regional office until such a time this issue of Nelongo abusing our party office is resolved in accordance with the party constitution, code of conduct and disciplinary procedures,” Amunyela said.

Nelongo was not in the office at the time the group, which consisted of party members and supporters, shut the building by placing chains on its main entrance burglar door and padlocked it.

This was done shortly after the party employees locked the office and left the premises due to pressure from the group.

Approached for comment, Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa reluctantly admitted her office was informed of the closing of the Oshana regional office.

“I am waiting to hear more from them as from Monday,” Shaningwa replied, but she hung up when asked to shed more light on what the next step is to resolve the matter.

Nelongo on his part said the group issued a petition to his office on two occasions, adding that the regional leadership discussed the petition and sent it earlier this week to the head office to appoint a committee to investigate the matter.

“Now that they have closed the office before getting an answer from the head office, I think the party is capable of investigating the matter and opening the office again,” Nelongo said.

NAMPA