Why I quit Swapo for IPC – Conradie

Long-time Swapo lawyer Dirk Conradie, who served as member since 1978 and legal advisor since 1996, said he has dumped the ruling party to join the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) because there is no economic development under Swapo.Conradie, who said he is a full card-carrying member of IPC, recently officiated a ceremony during which IPC leader Dr Panduleni Itula took an oath as his party’s sole candidate for the 2024 national and presidential elections.The lawyer, who preceded Sisa Namandje as Swapo’s legal anchor, said his biggest bone of contention is the fact that the party’s legal work has been given to a handful of lawyers despite his and other lawyers’ push that the ‘cake’ be shared amongst all legal practitioners.“Everyone needs to start a new life – my life is stuck. There is no change and progress under the Swapo government, and too much injustice. I [started] the first black legal firm and [was the first black] Swapo lawyer, but there is no work for us.“We have asked that the work be shared amongst all of us, but there are only a handful of lawyers who benefit,” he said.BattlesDuring his time as Swapo lawyer, Conradie mediated between the party and the disgruntled ‘struggle kids’ who were up in arms over the party’s failure to secure them jobs and other economic opportunities.He also represented the party when Swapo and its secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa were dragged to the High Court by two party members over the legality of its November 2017 elective congress.Conradie was the legal head when the party saw some of its toughest in-house legal battles, including when its former youth leaders Dr Elijah Ngurare, Dr Job Amupanda, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and George Kambala challenged it for their expulsion from the rank and file.Legal troublesThe veteran lawyer has also had his fair share of legal troubles. He and Sarah Damases were arrested in June 2012 on corruption charges, and the matter remains in court.It emanated from allegations that Conradie in June 2012 offered to use his influence - as chairperson of telecommunications company MTC&#039;s board of directors - to have an advertising contract worth about N$60 million awarded to advertising company DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi - if that company&#039;s directors agreed to take Damases on board as a black economic empowerment partner.In 2007, Conradie, as Namibian Rugby Union president, and his entire executive committee were barred from attending the rugby World Cup in France.He was accused of complicity in the irregular sale of World Cup tickets, a charge he flatly denied.jemima@namibiansun.com

Why I quit Swapo for IPC – Conradie

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-27

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Why I quit Swapo for IPC – Conradie

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-27

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