I’m not Amukwiyu’s wife – Nangolo Nangolo

Suspended Oniipa mayor Augustus Nangolo said Swapo regional coordinator for Oshikoto, Armas Amukwiyu, does not have to love him like a wife, but he must stop running party affairs in the region like a shebeen.

Nangolo, whom Amukwiyu suspended on 16 January for allegedly supporting an opposition party in Oniipa during the mid-term elections for local authorities, also mocked his suspension letter, saying it resembled an essay by a grade one learner.

Nangolo made these scathing remarks when asked what he makes of his suspension.

“I told him to explain [the suspension] so his things are clear, and give evidence. These are his personal agendas and he is treating and running the party like a sheeben. The party has rules. And he is writing me suspension letters which look like they are written by a grade one learner,” he said.

“I don’t care if he doesn’t like me. He doesn’t have to love me. I'm not his wife. If we have our differences, we can put them aside and continue working together for the benefit of the party,” Nangolo said, adding that he informed Amukwiyu to withdraw his suspension because he is “blocking council work”.

“Council is at a standstill because of the meetings which cannot take place. He is blocking the development in the town. I was elected by the people; I didn’t put myself in this position.”

In bed with opposition

According to the letter, Amukwiyu took the decision to suspend Nangolo after complaints were received by the party’s Oniipa district executive committee, which allege that Nangolo is in bed with opposition party members.

With four seats, the ruling party dominates the Oniipa town council - the remaining three seats are occupied by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).

Nangolo was elected as the new mayor of the town, replacing fellow Swapo member Hileni Tuutaleni Idhogela.

However, Nangolo was placed into that position with the help of IPC councillors, who nominated him for the spot.

This did not sit well with the party’s district executive committee, leading to Nangolo’s suspension.

The town council’s management committee is still incomplete as the other three Swapo councillors have not been showing up for elections and the swearing-in of office-bearers.

This means the town's administration has been hampered due to the lack of council meetings where decision-making should take place.

Meanwhile, Nangolo’s suspension resulted in a demonstration on Tuesday, with some Swapo Party members, supporters and sympathisers demanding that the decision be reversed.

Congress hangover

The Oniipa squabbles have been linked to the 2022 Swapo elective congress, at which Amukwiyu contested for the position of secretary-general against incumbent Sophia Shaningwa.

Nangolo is said to have actively campaigned for Shaningwa and party vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, while Idhogela campaigned for Amukwiyu and vice-president candidate Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

In the current standoff, Nangolo is said to have the backing of Shaningwa. The Swapo secretary-general however denied any involvement, saying the matter is being dealt with by the party’s politburo and that information from such sittings are not meant for the media.

“I don’t discuss what is being discussed at the politburo with the media, sorry,” she said in a brief telephonic conversation.

Amukwiyu, too, refused to entertain questions, saying he will wait for the outcome from the politburo.

“This is an internal matter. I certainly will comment after the politburo has dealt with it - if it’s necessary for me to do so.”

[email protected]; [email protected]