PDM denies alleged money woes
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has strongly refuted allegations that it is grappling with severe financial difficulties, which have reportedly forced the party to consider halting salary payments to a huge chunk of its workforce and initiating retrenchments where necessary.
Party insiders told this publication that the decision was allegedly made during last week’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday morning at party headquarters in Windhoek, where they claim it was decided that regional coordinators, wing leaders and administrative staff should brace for salary cuts.
PDM allegedly owes N$250 000 to party member Nico Smit and reportedly faces additional debts, including alleged outstanding payments to printers for election materials.
Monthly expenses have climbed to N$360 000, exacerbating the party’s financial woes, sources claim.
'Feeding you lies'
PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe on Tuesday dismissed these allegations when approached for comment.
“If it did not come from my office, there is no truth in it," Ngaringombe said.
Party spokesperson Geoffrey Mwilima also vehemently refuted the allegations, saying the party has no plans of retrenching anyone.
"Where did you get this information? The people who are feeding you lies should provide letters or notices given to them by the party," he said.
"It is not going to happen; no one will be retrenched. The party is not even thinking about it," he stressed yesterday.
Alleged impact
The retrenchments are reportedly set to affect 16 regional coordinators, each earning N$7 000 per month, and wing leaders, who receive N$9 000. The party is also allegedly considering selling some of its fleet, purchased through hire-purchase agreements, to reduce costs, sources claimed.
In addition to staff cuts, sources claim PDM also plans to scale back its funeral assistance programme and other expenditures. Despite these measures, the party has announced that its vice president will be added to the payroll starting April 2025.
This alleged financial strain follows a challenging period for PDM, which includes the party’s dismal performance during the recent national elections, where it managed to secure only five National Assembly seats, compared to the 16 seats it garnered in 2019.
Party insiders told this publication that the decision was allegedly made during last week’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday morning at party headquarters in Windhoek, where they claim it was decided that regional coordinators, wing leaders and administrative staff should brace for salary cuts.
PDM allegedly owes N$250 000 to party member Nico Smit and reportedly faces additional debts, including alleged outstanding payments to printers for election materials.
Monthly expenses have climbed to N$360 000, exacerbating the party’s financial woes, sources claim.
'Feeding you lies'
PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe on Tuesday dismissed these allegations when approached for comment.
“If it did not come from my office, there is no truth in it," Ngaringombe said.
Party spokesperson Geoffrey Mwilima also vehemently refuted the allegations, saying the party has no plans of retrenching anyone.
"Where did you get this information? The people who are feeding you lies should provide letters or notices given to them by the party," he said.
"It is not going to happen; no one will be retrenched. The party is not even thinking about it," he stressed yesterday.
Alleged impact
The retrenchments are reportedly set to affect 16 regional coordinators, each earning N$7 000 per month, and wing leaders, who receive N$9 000. The party is also allegedly considering selling some of its fleet, purchased through hire-purchase agreements, to reduce costs, sources claimed.
In addition to staff cuts, sources claim PDM also plans to scale back its funeral assistance programme and other expenditures. Despite these measures, the party has announced that its vice president will be added to the payroll starting April 2025.
This alleged financial strain follows a challenging period for PDM, which includes the party’s dismal performance during the recent national elections, where it managed to secure only five National Assembly seats, compared to the 16 seats it garnered in 2019.
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