EDITORIAL: Swapo cries foul over its own shortcomings

Swapo's decision to issue a public statement calling on its members to desist from engaging in succession talks following the death of party president Hage Geingob is an indictment on the party’s communication machinery.

While most members are mourning their leader, Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa seemingly wants everything in the party to come to a standstill.

Shaningwa feels those talking about succession matters are being insensitive. One might agree with her to a certain extent, but she must not forget that the party needs to continue its work and deliver on its mandate through government.

Swapo’s lack of direction and communication is a breeding ground for gossipmongers and conspiracy theorists to have a field day. There is nothing insensitive about the party’s leadership meeting to chart the way forward.

The same goes for those who claim government was too quick to install Nangolo Mbumba as president of the country. The systems, processes and institutions the late Geingob so ardently preached about over the years are there to ensure that no vacuums exist.

Surely Geingob would not have wanted government or Swapo affairs to come to a standstill just because he is no more.

We’re not too sure about Swapo, but the smooth transition in government has shown that state systems, processes and systems are functional. The swift installation of Mbumba also meant that there was no room for anyone with sinister ideas to cause havoc.