By Shivoro Mangundu
OSHAKATI, Oct. 26 – Almost the entire cabinet ministers, regional governors and all appointees of president Hage Geingob have not endorsed any candidate in ongoing inner Swapo party campaigns for fear of victimisation by the appointing authority.
Ministers and governors who were expected to rally behind the wishes of the appointing authority Geingob, who according to media reports earlier aligned himself with Saara Kuungongelwa-Amadhila and later Pohamba Shifeta, because of not endorsing his vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, have seen a dramatic shift of political power in Swapo Party from Geingob to the leading candidate in the vice-presidential race Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who at the moment is followed already by half of the congress delegates from region to region before the congress date of 26 November 2022.
“Many cabinet ministers and governors are afraid to come out publicly in support of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah because president Geingob might come up with an unexpected reshuffle any time soon before Congress and those seen as indirectly not supporting his wishes might be casualties,” one cabinet member who spoke on condition of anonymity in fear of victimisation said.
According to these close to the affairs of the government also said State House is at the moment monitoring vehicle trip authorities of both ministers and deputy ministers to curb the wastage of government resources though they have unlimited usage of their government vehicles.
So far only a few regions of Omusati, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Hardap and //Kharas are left before Congress next month but so far the indication remains that incumbent Nandi-Ndaitwah will retain her position.
So far only one minister Peya Mushelenga has come out publicly in support of his long-time friend and comrade Minister of Environment, Forestry and Environment Pohamba Shifeta in an attempt to influence youthful delegates but it seems their campaign came late compared to their competitors.
Nandi-Ndaitwah is challenged by Prime Minister Saara Kuungongelwa-Amadhila and Shifeta in the race, while incumbent Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa is being challenged by Swapo Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu.
The Deputy Secretary General position is contested by parliamentarians Lucia Witbooi, Evelyn Tayele, Kavango West regional coordinator David Hamutenya and former minister Uahekua Herunga.
Nandi-Ndaitwah in all her regional engagements requested all delegates to Congress to also pray for her.
Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari could not be reached for comments as his phone went unanswered.
