Kaaronda expels Swanu ‘dissidents’ amid turmoil
Internal power struggles ravage party
Four members of Swanu have been ousted from the party for their alleged failure to adhere to its constitution.
South West Africa National Union (Swanu) president Evilastus Kaaronda expelled former leaders Charles Katjivirue and Sam Tjikuzu from the party with immediate effect yesterday, citing their failure to adhere to the party’s constitution.
Katjivirue and Tjikuzu were expelled alongside former secretary-general Issasskar Kaureuombahe Hiakaere and former director for elections Emily Kazapua at a press briefing held at the party headquarters in Windhoek.
This follows internal power struggles within the party, which led to the Windhoek High Court ordering an extraordinary central committee meeting on Saturday between Kaaronda and Katjivirue to resolve factional disputes.
Kaaronda said Swanu’s politburo agreed to convene the meeting per Article 11 of the party’s constitution, and that he wrote a letter to Katjivirue on 11 July, inviting him to meet and work on the preparations.
“On 14 July, Katjiviure wrote a letter in which he categorically stated that he will not be part of any illegal meetings, as he believed that he was mandated by the court to not just prepare, but also convene the meeting,” he said.
‘Irreparable harm’
The central committee reportedly confirmed that the meeting was valid and in line with the constitution and court order. It was also resolved that Kaaronda is the party president and Katjivirue an ordinary party member “whose illegal leadership was nullified”.
“It was more important to convene and host the meeting and not allow the party to be held hostage by an individual who still thinks he is [the leader],” Kaaronda said.
He added that Katjivirue and Tjikuzu’s misunderstanding of the court order has caused “irreparable harm to the party’s reputation”.
“The many surreptitious activities and illegal meetings held in the name of the party, reminiscent of the ones declared unlawful by the court order, are still being held to sow seeds of division and confusion among its rank and file,” Kaaronda said.
He argued that these reasons, along with many others, form the basis on which the meeting decided to expel Katjivirue and his followers from the party. “If they should be found or seen using the name or party’s properties, they will face legal action. [This also applies] to anyone assisting them to violate the party’s expulsion decision,” he noted.
Attempts to reach Katjivirue and Tjikuzu proved futile.
Katjivirue and Tjikuzu were expelled alongside former secretary-general Issasskar Kaureuombahe Hiakaere and former director for elections Emily Kazapua at a press briefing held at the party headquarters in Windhoek.
This follows internal power struggles within the party, which led to the Windhoek High Court ordering an extraordinary central committee meeting on Saturday between Kaaronda and Katjivirue to resolve factional disputes.
Kaaronda said Swanu’s politburo agreed to convene the meeting per Article 11 of the party’s constitution, and that he wrote a letter to Katjivirue on 11 July, inviting him to meet and work on the preparations.
“On 14 July, Katjiviure wrote a letter in which he categorically stated that he will not be part of any illegal meetings, as he believed that he was mandated by the court to not just prepare, but also convene the meeting,” he said.
‘Irreparable harm’
The central committee reportedly confirmed that the meeting was valid and in line with the constitution and court order. It was also resolved that Kaaronda is the party president and Katjivirue an ordinary party member “whose illegal leadership was nullified”.
“It was more important to convene and host the meeting and not allow the party to be held hostage by an individual who still thinks he is [the leader],” Kaaronda said.
He added that Katjivirue and Tjikuzu’s misunderstanding of the court order has caused “irreparable harm to the party’s reputation”.
“The many surreptitious activities and illegal meetings held in the name of the party, reminiscent of the ones declared unlawful by the court order, are still being held to sow seeds of division and confusion among its rank and file,” Kaaronda said.
He argued that these reasons, along with many others, form the basis on which the meeting decided to expel Katjivirue and his followers from the party. “If they should be found or seen using the name or party’s properties, they will face legal action. [This also applies] to anyone assisting them to violate the party’s expulsion decision,” he noted.
Attempts to reach Katjivirue and Tjikuzu proved futile.
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