APP: Shuumbwa out, Kumbwa in
The newly-appointed president of the All People's Party (APP), Ambrosius Kumbwa, says he is relieved about how the party dealt with what he described as its “biggest financial problem” - the departure of its former vice-president Erastus Shuumbwa.
Speaking to Namibian Sun on Sunday, Kumbwa said with Shuumbwa's exit, APP can now concentrate on boosting its popularity and preparing for the November elections.
Shuumbwa was suspended earlier this year after allegations surfaced that he was involved in the formation of a new political party. Two weeks ago, he officially left APP for the African Democratic Movement (ADM) while serving a month-long suspension, during which he failed to attend his scheduled disciplinary hearing.
On Friday, APP’s national chairperson Linus Muchila was sworn in as a member of parliament, replacing Shuumbwa.
‘Underhanded methods’
“We are happy because we had a major issue when APP’s former secretary-general Vinsent Kanyetu left in a similar manner. We had to spend a lot of money on a disciplinary committee, made up of lawyers, to investigate the situation. All the while, they denied that they were forming a new party, but in the end, we uncovered the truth,” Kumbwa said.
“Normally, if someone wants to leave the party, they should do so through proper channels. But Shuumbwa used underhanded methods, which were unacceptable. Nevertheless, we ensured the process was handled appropriately until we reached our goal,” he added.
“Shuumbwa wasn’t honest with us and didn’t communicate his lack of interest in continuing with APP. Instead, we had to conduct further investigations, costing us more money, until we discovered the truth. By the time we decided to expel him, he had already joined ADM, which coincided with the findings from our disciplinary process,” the new party president said.
He described the coordination between Shuumbwa and Kanyetu as “evident”, but added that with the matter now settled, APP can focus on campaigning and growing its support base across Namibia.
“As mature politicians, I believe we handled the situation procedurally and respectfully, without causing harm to Shuumbwa or Kanyetu, despite the financial loss they caused us. We don’t see them as enemies. It’s their democratic right to leave and join other parties,” Kumbwa said, noting that APP plans to launch its manifesto later this week.
‘Long-awaited freedom’
Meanwhile, at an ADM press conference, Shuumbwa vowed to support and campaign for his new party.
“I will be voting and campaigning for ADM. ADM is here to complete the long-awaited freedom. For the last 34 years, people have only enjoyed political freedom; we do not yet have economic freedom,” he said two weeks ago.
“We want to bring the government closer to the people by providing each constituency with essential services like home affairs offices and police stations. We call on the people to come out in numbers and vote for ADM. This is not for us, it’s for the people to decide. ADM is the only party growing at this pace,” he claimed.
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Speaking to Namibian Sun on Sunday, Kumbwa said with Shuumbwa's exit, APP can now concentrate on boosting its popularity and preparing for the November elections.
Shuumbwa was suspended earlier this year after allegations surfaced that he was involved in the formation of a new political party. Two weeks ago, he officially left APP for the African Democratic Movement (ADM) while serving a month-long suspension, during which he failed to attend his scheduled disciplinary hearing.
On Friday, APP’s national chairperson Linus Muchila was sworn in as a member of parliament, replacing Shuumbwa.
‘Underhanded methods’
“We are happy because we had a major issue when APP’s former secretary-general Vinsent Kanyetu left in a similar manner. We had to spend a lot of money on a disciplinary committee, made up of lawyers, to investigate the situation. All the while, they denied that they were forming a new party, but in the end, we uncovered the truth,” Kumbwa said.
“Normally, if someone wants to leave the party, they should do so through proper channels. But Shuumbwa used underhanded methods, which were unacceptable. Nevertheless, we ensured the process was handled appropriately until we reached our goal,” he added.
“Shuumbwa wasn’t honest with us and didn’t communicate his lack of interest in continuing with APP. Instead, we had to conduct further investigations, costing us more money, until we discovered the truth. By the time we decided to expel him, he had already joined ADM, which coincided with the findings from our disciplinary process,” the new party president said.
He described the coordination between Shuumbwa and Kanyetu as “evident”, but added that with the matter now settled, APP can focus on campaigning and growing its support base across Namibia.
“As mature politicians, I believe we handled the situation procedurally and respectfully, without causing harm to Shuumbwa or Kanyetu, despite the financial loss they caused us. We don’t see them as enemies. It’s their democratic right to leave and join other parties,” Kumbwa said, noting that APP plans to launch its manifesto later this week.
‘Long-awaited freedom’
Meanwhile, at an ADM press conference, Shuumbwa vowed to support and campaign for his new party.
“I will be voting and campaigning for ADM. ADM is here to complete the long-awaited freedom. For the last 34 years, people have only enjoyed political freedom; we do not yet have economic freedom,” he said two weeks ago.
“We want to bring the government closer to the people by providing each constituency with essential services like home affairs offices and police stations. We call on the people to come out in numbers and vote for ADM. This is not for us, it’s for the people to decide. ADM is the only party growing at this pace,” he claimed.
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