Ulenga survives attempted overthrow

The president of the Congress of Democrats (CoD), Ben Ulenga, survived another attempt to topple him during a two-day congress in the Oshana Region that was expected to remove him from the position he has been occupying for 15 years. While Ulenga hung on to his post following a landslide victory of 61 votes against contenders Vaino Amuthenu, who garnered 36 votes, and Tsudao Gurirab, who got 12 votes, other national executives were not so lucky. The top leaders who got the axe yesterday are Vice-President Alfons Tjirinda, Secretary-General (SG) Tsudao Gurirab, Vice SG Gretchen Boois and National Chairperson Arnold Losper. All the other top leaders, with the exception of Gurirab who opted not to stand for SG and instead tried his luck for the presidential position against Ulenga, were also visibly absent from the tension-filled congress over the weekend. Well-placed sources claim that the absence of the top leadership was partly due to the knowledge that there were plans in place to replace them and partly due to poor planning of the congress that had been postponed several times. Former Oshakati Town Councillor Vaino Amuthenu, who was geared to overthrow Ulenga, was elected as the new vice-president. Sources who spoke to Namibian Sun after the congress claimed that two clear camps had emerged ahead of the weekend - a pro-Ulenga camp that believed he was the only candidate with enough experience to run in the upcoming national elections, and those critical of what they described his weak leadership style. Although plans to topple Ulenga seemed to go well prior to the congress, sources claim some members from mainly the Zambezi, Omaheke and Hardap regions changed their minds at the last minute in favour of Ulenga. “The plan was to change the entire structure from top to bottom, but with the upcoming presidential elections some regions thought it would be a problem for us if the party presents an unknown candidate,” said the source. Gafta Tjozondjoro is the new SG, Muunda Herbs his new deputy, while Jacky Deveel is the national chairperson. Boas Mwapopi and Chaze Muhongo are treasurer general and deputy treasurer respectively. ONGWEDIVA MERJA IILEKA