'Swallow your pride and work together'
A Swapo committee comprised of senior leaders has told the party's Rundu councillors to forget what happened in the past, swallow their pride and move on, so they can provide services to the town's residents.
The committee, led by Albert Kawana, met with the councillors, as well as the party's Rundu Urban district executive, the Kavango East regional leadership and governor Samuel Mbambo.
The other members of the committee are Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Hilma Nicanor and James Sankwasa, who is also the chairperson of the Swapo leaders assigned to Kavango East Region.
The meeting followed a decision by the Swapo politburo to send senior leaders to Rundu in order to diffuse growing tensions between party councillors.
This had culminated in three of them defying a directive by secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa to retain Verna Sinimbo as Rundu mayor and Ralph Ihemba as her deputy.
The party had recently recalled the three councillors, including newly elected mayor Isak Kandingu, after the trio were elected in defiance of a directive that the town's office-bearers structure must remain unchanged.
The politburo reversed the recalls last week, following an earlier meeting chaired by President Hage Geingob.
On Monday, after a four-hour meeting, Kawana said the committee was expected to report back to the Swapo politburo before anything will be shared with public.
He said briefly the meeting was a success and that the party is looking forward to the general election.
He added they expect President Hage Geingob to retain the presidency of the country with an overwhelming majority.
A source said the meeting was aimed at uniting the Swapo councillors and addressing issues that were dividing the party in the region.
“The meeting started off with the reading of last week's press statement about the decision of the politburo, which is that the three councillors who were withdrawn from the council should be reinstated and continue with their mandate,” the source said.
“The committee further advised the councillors to unite, swallow their pride, move on and work together to address the issues the residents of Rundu are faced with.”
The source further revealed that a number of issues were discussed, including why the Swapo Rundu Urban district executive is unable to reach a quorum.
The source said Kawana was expected to meet the district executive yesterday.
Kawana asked for the meeting after it was alleged that the district had fake branches, which was denied by Rundu Urban constituency councillor Victoria Kauma.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The committee, led by Albert Kawana, met with the councillors, as well as the party's Rundu Urban district executive, the Kavango East regional leadership and governor Samuel Mbambo.
The other members of the committee are Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Hilma Nicanor and James Sankwasa, who is also the chairperson of the Swapo leaders assigned to Kavango East Region.
The meeting followed a decision by the Swapo politburo to send senior leaders to Rundu in order to diffuse growing tensions between party councillors.
This had culminated in three of them defying a directive by secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa to retain Verna Sinimbo as Rundu mayor and Ralph Ihemba as her deputy.
The party had recently recalled the three councillors, including newly elected mayor Isak Kandingu, after the trio were elected in defiance of a directive that the town's office-bearers structure must remain unchanged.
The politburo reversed the recalls last week, following an earlier meeting chaired by President Hage Geingob.
On Monday, after a four-hour meeting, Kawana said the committee was expected to report back to the Swapo politburo before anything will be shared with public.
He said briefly the meeting was a success and that the party is looking forward to the general election.
He added they expect President Hage Geingob to retain the presidency of the country with an overwhelming majority.
A source said the meeting was aimed at uniting the Swapo councillors and addressing issues that were dividing the party in the region.
“The meeting started off with the reading of last week's press statement about the decision of the politburo, which is that the three councillors who were withdrawn from the council should be reinstated and continue with their mandate,” the source said.
“The committee further advised the councillors to unite, swallow their pride, move on and work together to address the issues the residents of Rundu are faced with.”
The source further revealed that a number of issues were discussed, including why the Swapo Rundu Urban district executive is unable to reach a quorum.
The source said Kawana was expected to meet the district executive yesterday.
Kawana asked for the meeting after it was alleged that the district had fake branches, which was denied by Rundu Urban constituency councillor Victoria Kauma.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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