Rivals take on Geingob

Swapo acting president Hage Geingob's campaign statement in Karibib last weekend has been labelled as a cheap shot at his rivals, who say it was a shocking example of playing the man and not the ball.

Geingob, addressing congress delegates and sympathisers, launched a scathing attack on his rivals by accusing them of suffering from what he termed as a “Savimbi Syndrome of destroying something when they cannot be part of it”.

Geingob also criticised his rivals' campaign under the banner 'Team Swapo'.

Those campaigning under 'Team Swapo' include presidential hopefuls Nahas Angula and Jerry Ekandjo as well as vice-presidency candidates Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Helmut Angula.

Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu, who is contesting the powerful secretary-general position, and former health deputy minister Petrina Haingura and Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, who are both standing for the deputy secretary-general position, are also part of the joint Team Swapo campaign.

Those campaigning for the team say Geingob's statement last week was riddled with unfounded and tribal remarks.

“These claims are a sign of panic and insecurity on the part of the acting Swapo president,” said Amukwiyu.

“They are undemocratic and unfounded. For us the campaign is on and it is guided by the constitution, rules and procedures of the Swapo Party.

“Of course, he is entitled to his opinion but even before making such a statement, he (Geingob) knows that what he is talking about is not true.

“This campaign is not about Armas, Jerry, Katusha (Nahas Angula) or himself; it is about Swapo as an institution that is governed and ruled on the basis of its constitution.”

The team also asked why Geingob was not questioning social media platforms such as 'Team Hage', '100% Hage', and 'Dr Hage Supporters' created by those supporting his candidacy and that of his leadership slate.



'Not accepting reality'

The Team Swapo campaigners also said Geingob was refusing to accept reality.

“We have noted that acting president Hage Geingob, with nothing to offer for his campaign, has decided to play the tribal card. He is insinuating that the only reason he is being challenged for the presidency of the party is because he is not Omuwambo.

“The only conclusion that one can draw from his sorry state of reasoning is that the acting president is nothing but a tribal entrepreneur. He trades in tribalism, using it to his advantage when he needs it, and condemning it when it doesn't suit his self-serving purpose.”

At the weekend, Geingob also claimed that he was one of the founders of Swapo, and he seemed to question the credentials of his rivals.

“The founding of the Swapo Party is a matter of historical record and the acting president's laughable assertion that he is a founding member cannot be taken seriously,” Team Swapo supporters say.

“Some of the original Swapo founders are still alive and can attest to the fact that he is indeed not a founding member of the Swapo Party. He prides himself as an honest man who 'detests lies'. Why is he spreading them now?”

At the Karibib event, Geingob seemingly questioned the roles played by his rivals.

The campaigners defended their line-up of candidates, which they said included seasoned politicians who never refused responsibilities assigned to them before or after independence.

“It might serve him (Geingob) well to be reminded that he was one of the few comrades in the leadership who were assigned a task and refused to accept it when he was assigned the position of minister of local government.

“He considered it 'too low' for his status. He resigned and went to work in the United States of America instead. We find it ironic that he is the one questioning the whereabouts, loyalty and credibility of others,” they said.

STAFF REPORTER