No one is bigger than Swapo

Chairperson of the Swapo leaders assigned to the Kavango East Region, James Sankwasa, says no one is bigger than the party and that all decisions should be made in accordance with the Swapo constitution and the relevant rules and procedures.

Sankwasa said party members have the tendency of saying they are taking decisions in accordance of the party's constitution, but fail to quote the relevant section or article.

He therefore called on party members to read, in order to make uniform decisions.

Sankwasa made the remarks on Friday in Rundu during the official opening of a Swapo Kavango East regional executive meeting, which was necessitated after a group of Swapo councillors boycotted last week's Rundu town council office-bearers election.

“As elected leaders at various levels of the party leadership and public service governance, we owe it to ourselves to read, understand and practice the provisions of the (Swapo) constitution. This book has served as our political bible and hymnbook. It must guide our thinking, activities and decisions, as we undertake the unification and development of Namibia, as a ruling party,” Sankwasa said.

“Many a time I have heard people say, 'according to the constitution', but they cannot even quote the relevant section or article from the constitution. This is because we do not read the constitution or we read it without understanding. Let us read to understand.”

Sankwasa said there are existing rules and procedures for election of party office-bearers and representatives at legislative and government levels, including a disciplinary code of conduct aimed at guiding acceptable conduct for party members.

“Each Swapo wing has a constitution that guides the activities of the wing. However, all these constitutions of the various wings are in conformity with the mother body constitution. I believe that if we all adhere to the noble principles provided in these documents, we shall surely create unity of purpose, common understanding and not unnecessary ill-feelings towards one another as party members,” Sankwasa said.

The Rundu town council office-bearers were expected to be elected last Wednesday. However, some councillors boycotted the event on the grounds that they want a directive from Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa set aside.

Shaningwa had directed that status quo of the existing structure should remain. However, the councillors have indicated that they want changes. The councillors also boycotted last week's elections on the basis that they want clarity on whether mayor Verna Sinimbo will be following her husband to India.

Trade permanent secretary Gabriel Sinimbo was recently appointed by President Hage Geingob to serve as ambassador to the Asian country.

When contacted last week, his wife said she does not owe any councillor an explanation.

However, following Namibian Sun's article she was quoted by Nampa as saying she will not accompany her husband to India, and that she will remain committed to her position as mayor of Rundu. When contacted for comment yesterday, Swapo Party Kavango East regional coordinator Otillie Shinduvi said consultations are still ongoing.