Swapo Otjozondjupa regional coordinator Hikopua suspended
ENZO AMUELE
OTJIWARONGO
The Swapo regional leadership in Otjozondjupa has suspended regional coordinator and chairperson Susan Hikopua with immediate effect.
According to a press statement published on 6 December, the regional executive committee (REC) has observed with concern that Hikopua has, “on numerous occasions”, engaged in conduct that is illegal, unpalatable and unethical to the aims and objectives of the party.
Hikopua has been accused of engaging in activities that undermined the interests of Swapo and which promoted those of other political parties, and acting in collaboration with “counter-revolutionary forces whose main objective is to destroy the Swapo Party”.
However, in a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun, Hikopua said she has been unlawfully suspended.
She also said a meeting should have been called for her to give her side of the story before a decision was made.
“There is a process to be followed for a member to be suspended and the process has to be endorsed and approved by the political bureau. The accused person is therefore allowed to bring their side of the story. In a regional process of the party, I should have been heard,” she said.
Hikopua added that no report was sent to the political bureau for ratification as per the party’s constitution, and said it was not formally communicated to her that she was suspended, as she found out through the media.
All above board
According to article 40: (8) of the Swapo constitution, the REC has the power to suspend any member – as long as the decision is supported by at least a two-thirds majority.
During her suspension, Hikopua may not carry out duties and responsibilities of the regional coordinator and may not represent the party at any forum.
Members of the district executive committee from six districts of seven held a meeting at the party’s regional office in Otjiwarongo, which is said to have led to the suspension.
The district committee members were from Tsumkwe, Grootfontein, Otavi, Otjiwarongo, Okakarara, Okahandja and Omatako, where Hikopua is originally from.
Swapo Otjozondjupa regional secretary for information and publicity Clive Kavendjii said the suspension was not unlawful.
“The REC came together and took a decision as there are serious allegations being made against her. It is a temporary suspension, and we will escalate it to the politburo to ratify the decision”, he said.
Kavendjii will be the acting regional coordinator until further notice.
OTJIWARONGO
The Swapo regional leadership in Otjozondjupa has suspended regional coordinator and chairperson Susan Hikopua with immediate effect.
According to a press statement published on 6 December, the regional executive committee (REC) has observed with concern that Hikopua has, “on numerous occasions”, engaged in conduct that is illegal, unpalatable and unethical to the aims and objectives of the party.
Hikopua has been accused of engaging in activities that undermined the interests of Swapo and which promoted those of other political parties, and acting in collaboration with “counter-revolutionary forces whose main objective is to destroy the Swapo Party”.
However, in a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun, Hikopua said she has been unlawfully suspended.
She also said a meeting should have been called for her to give her side of the story before a decision was made.
“There is a process to be followed for a member to be suspended and the process has to be endorsed and approved by the political bureau. The accused person is therefore allowed to bring their side of the story. In a regional process of the party, I should have been heard,” she said.
Hikopua added that no report was sent to the political bureau for ratification as per the party’s constitution, and said it was not formally communicated to her that she was suspended, as she found out through the media.
All above board
According to article 40: (8) of the Swapo constitution, the REC has the power to suspend any member – as long as the decision is supported by at least a two-thirds majority.
During her suspension, Hikopua may not carry out duties and responsibilities of the regional coordinator and may not represent the party at any forum.
Members of the district executive committee from six districts of seven held a meeting at the party’s regional office in Otjiwarongo, which is said to have led to the suspension.
The district committee members were from Tsumkwe, Grootfontein, Otavi, Otjiwarongo, Okakarara, Okahandja and Omatako, where Hikopua is originally from.
Swapo Otjozondjupa regional secretary for information and publicity Clive Kavendjii said the suspension was not unlawful.
“The REC came together and took a decision as there are serious allegations being made against her. It is a temporary suspension, and we will escalate it to the politburo to ratify the decision”, he said.
Kavendjii will be the acting regional coordinator until further notice.
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