Venaani blasts PDM quitters, blames Swapo
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has blamed recent resignations in his party on “politics of the belly”, accusing Swapo of luring members with job offers and other incentives.
This follows the departure of several high-profile figures, including former MPs Yvette Araes, Charmaine Tjirare and Esmeralda !Aebes, as well as Vakamuina Kamutuezu – a former PDM Youth League finance secretary and central committee member – and another youth activist, Shonena Nathanael.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Venaani alleged that the ruling party was behind the exodus in a bid to weaken the former official opposition.
“We are fully aware of it. It’s a deliberate strategy, influenced by the ruling party. People have been offered jobs and other incentives. But this is nothing new – it is the belly politics typical of Africa,” he said.
“Why do people only resign after losing their positions? If I, as president, believed PDM was not a good party, I would resign immediately, not after being pushed out. That is pure belly politics.”
Venaani further argued that some of those leaving were motivated by financial gain rather than principle.
“You are a member of parliament, yet you fight tooth and nail to stay in parliament. You go to court demanding back pay and benefits. Clearly, your agenda is not about principles – it’s about money. And when the money is no longer there, suddenly the party is ‘bad’.”
Swapo hits back
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor rejected Venaani’s allegations outright, saying the ruling party does not employ non-members and dismissed the claims as baseless.
“There is no way Swapo can ‘employ’ people. We can only assign responsibilities within the party itself. Claims that Swapo is handing out jobs in that way are baseless,” she said.
“Membership is voluntary, as our constitution states. Anyone who believes Swapo represents their values is free to join. If Venaani fears losing members to Swapo, that is not our fault.”
Nicanor stressed that government positions are filled through formal state processes, not by Swapo.
“Venaani should not resort to cheap politics. He knows very well that Swapo does not employ people in government,” she added.
‘No crisis’
Venaani downplayed the impact of the resignations, insisting the PDM remains intact.
“Our party has more experience with such politics than most. For example, IPC [Independent Patriots for Change] lost 24 members in Erongo and Kavango. Are they in crisis? No. Yet because PDM has lost five, suddenly we are? This is nothing but a bloated crisis, and we are managing it.”
He acknowledged that some of the concerns raised by those who resigned would be considered.
“Yes, some issues are important for the survival of the party, and we are reflecting on them. But overall, this is just belly politics,” he maintained.
Calls for reflection
Meanwhile, former PDM parliamentarian Max Katjimune described the resignations as regrettable.
“It is concerning that we have reached this stage, partly due to our failure to manage intra-party factionalism effectively. We must take collective responsibility and strengthen the party. PDM still has a meaningful role to play, and any party can renew itself and restore confidence after a rough patch,” he said.
This follows the departure of several high-profile figures, including former MPs Yvette Araes, Charmaine Tjirare and Esmeralda !Aebes, as well as Vakamuina Kamutuezu – a former PDM Youth League finance secretary and central committee member – and another youth activist, Shonena Nathanael.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Venaani alleged that the ruling party was behind the exodus in a bid to weaken the former official opposition.
“We are fully aware of it. It’s a deliberate strategy, influenced by the ruling party. People have been offered jobs and other incentives. But this is nothing new – it is the belly politics typical of Africa,” he said.
“Why do people only resign after losing their positions? If I, as president, believed PDM was not a good party, I would resign immediately, not after being pushed out. That is pure belly politics.”
Venaani further argued that some of those leaving were motivated by financial gain rather than principle.
“You are a member of parliament, yet you fight tooth and nail to stay in parliament. You go to court demanding back pay and benefits. Clearly, your agenda is not about principles – it’s about money. And when the money is no longer there, suddenly the party is ‘bad’.”
Swapo hits back
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor rejected Venaani’s allegations outright, saying the ruling party does not employ non-members and dismissed the claims as baseless.
“There is no way Swapo can ‘employ’ people. We can only assign responsibilities within the party itself. Claims that Swapo is handing out jobs in that way are baseless,” she said.
“Membership is voluntary, as our constitution states. Anyone who believes Swapo represents their values is free to join. If Venaani fears losing members to Swapo, that is not our fault.”
Nicanor stressed that government positions are filled through formal state processes, not by Swapo.
“Venaani should not resort to cheap politics. He knows very well that Swapo does not employ people in government,” she added.
‘No crisis’
Venaani downplayed the impact of the resignations, insisting the PDM remains intact.
“Our party has more experience with such politics than most. For example, IPC [Independent Patriots for Change] lost 24 members in Erongo and Kavango. Are they in crisis? No. Yet because PDM has lost five, suddenly we are? This is nothing but a bloated crisis, and we are managing it.”
He acknowledged that some of the concerns raised by those who resigned would be considered.
“Yes, some issues are important for the survival of the party, and we are reflecting on them. But overall, this is just belly politics,” he maintained.
Calls for reflection
Meanwhile, former PDM parliamentarian Max Katjimune described the resignations as regrettable.
“It is concerning that we have reached this stage, partly due to our failure to manage intra-party factionalism effectively. We must take collective responsibility and strengthen the party. PDM still has a meaningful role to play, and any party can renew itself and restore confidence after a rough patch,” he said.
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