PDM youth clash over Venaani, Muharukua

MATHIAS HAUFIKU WINDHOEKWith jostling ahead of the Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) 2024 congress in full swing, there are fears that ongoing public spats and factional battles in the youth league could spill over to the party’s top ranks.Despite silent underground lobbying and factional positioning in the months leading up to the party’s youth congress, which took place in Windhoek last weekend, chaos erupted when the congress was called off before discussions and elections could take place.According to a statement by the youth wing’s spokesperson Maximiliant Katjimune released on Saturday, the congress was stopped due to “unanticipated developments”.The youth wing’s internal elections are seen as a precursor for the looming leadership battle at the party’s 2024 congress, with talks about a challenge between party president McHenry Venaani and MP Vipuakuje Muharukua gaining traction.This, insiders said, is one of the reasons why the party’s top leadership is watching the events unfolding in the youth league with keen interest.Many have also been surprised to learn that youth leaders such as Katjimune, Yvette Araes and Hidipo Hamata are spearheading the faction pushing to retain Venaani.The trio, known in PDM ranks as the Court Case Kids, had dragged the party to court after accusing it of tampering with its National Assembly list, a situation which led to them missing out on a chance to represent the party in Parliament.DeadlockThe youth wing’s leader Bensen Katjirijova has reportedly thrown his weight behind Venaani leading the party post-2024, and is accused of calling off the elective congress because of fears that his preferred candidates would not emerge victorious.Katjirijova and his faction were behind secretary-general candidate Araes.However, those who attended the congress said the event was stopped after it was found that some delegates were not accredited to be part of the proceedings.“Some delegates did not want a roll call to be done, hence there was a deadlock and it was decided to stop everything,” a source privy to the proceedings said.Youth league central committee member Inna Hengari is said to be part of the faction for a PDM future under the leadership of Muharukua.Her faction is rooting for PDMYL chairperson in //Karas, Innocent Mathys, to succeed Katjirijova.She accused Katjirijova of refusing to work with regional chairpersons, opting rather to talk to the members of the executive committees in the regions.“When we went to congress, we said ‘colleagues, let’s sit and talk if there is a consternation that these delegates are illegal. Open the floor for a debate or discussion and let congress, illegal or not, let those who say the delegates are illegal say so and explain’,” said Hengari, who also serves as one of the party’s representatives in the National Assembly.“Mr Benson Katjirijova made a calculation; he saw that we had the support of the regions and he left the hall because he knew they were not going to win. He had no intention to restructure branches in order to revive the youth league. The congress was not legally constituted because the [youth league] constitution says seven delegates from 14 of the administrative regions shall be elected, not seven members from the regional executive committee of each region,” she said.SabotageMathys yesterday called for congress to be reconvened because it was “intentionally sabotaged”.In a letter written to PDM secretary Manuel Ngaringombe, he lamented that those who were charged with the responsibility of restructuring the youth league were the very same individuals who contested positions at a congress they organised themselves.“We cannot emphasise enough the need to have had such an important exercise monitored and observed by an independent body,” he said.He also claimed that regional chairpersons were coerced and harassed when choosing their congress delegates.“Some delegates did not receive monies to travel from their regions on time and thus had to find other means to afford bus fares. Those delegates who were deemed to be in opposition to those who organised and were contesting were accommodated in the least favourable places such as the Tabitha Centre.“Those who were seen to be in support of them were accommodated at Dalarize Guesthouse in Pioneers Park, where they were dined and wined until 05:00 on Saturday (11 December),” Mathys said.Ngaringombe yesterday confirmed receiving the letter, adding that management will look into the matter after hearing both sides of the story to reach an amicable solution.Party insiders claim the botched congress at the Tabitha Centre cost PDM over N$250 000 to convene.Despite the funds pumped into realising the congress, which was already delayed by almost a year, delegates complained of poor organisation.“We were shocked to find out that breakfast comprised of weetbix and water instead of milk as well as dry bread. The organisers must account and explain what they did with the money. How did they expect us to get through the morning with such food,” a delegate – who wished to remain anonymous – said.

PDM youth clash over Venaani, Muharukua

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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PDM youth clash over Venaani, Muharukua

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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