Nudo congress in limbo

WINDHOEK, 24 MAY  – The third elective congress of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) has been thrown into disarray as 120 blocked delegates have decided to resort to an urgent court interdict to prevent it from going ahead.
The urgent application will be filed Thursday morning.
This comes amid concerns of mushrooming Nudo branches in places where the party never had a constituency or vote in the past.
According to ‘Team Nudo’ secretary general (SG) candidate Joseph Kauandenge, among others, 88 delegates from the Aminuis Constituency were barred from attending the congress.
Kauandenge revealed this during a ‘Team Nudo’ meeting held at his residence in Katutura on Wednesday.
At this meeting, Kauandenge accused Nudo SG Meundju Jahanika of driving a crusade to ensure that at least 120 delegates believed to be supporters of the Utjiua Miunjangue-led Team Nudo do not attend the congress.
“Jahanika refused to accept 44 branches from the Aminuis Constituency. The reason he gave is that these branches were not duly constituted without providing any evidence or explanation to this effect,” he said.
Several branches from Otjimbingwe, Walvis Bay, the Daures Constituency, Gobabis and Omatjete will not feature at the congress, he added.
“We told him (Jahanika) that he as SG does not have the powers to block these delegates and that only the National Council can do so,” Kauandenge said.
This was allegedly rejected by Jahanika.
“He said he is the only one who can decide on who goes and who doesn’t go to congress,” Kauandenge charged.
The Nudo SG aspirant added Jahanika only accepted four branches from the Aminius Constituency.
It was after this that Jahanika was asked to explain in writing to the affected delegates’ representatives, Uahimisa Kaapehi (Erongo regional coordinator) and Steve Zakaapi (Aminuis constituency coordinator) why their delegates were blocked from the congress.
“He said ‘Your branches will not be recognised because they were not duly constituted’,” Kauandenge told the about 30 Nudo supporters in attendance.
This was when the blocked delegates resorted to the legal route, through their lawyer Kadhila Amoomo.
“We are going to court. I will serve them with the papers at 08h00 tomorrow,” Amoomo said when contacted for comment Wednesday.
Zakaapi and Kaapehi are the two applicants in the urgent application.
Responding to questions from Nampa, Jahanika downplayed insinuations that he is interfering with congress proceedings in a bid to pave the way for the Kandorozu-led team.
“It’s true that there are branches that were nullified, but it is not because they are not wanted. It is simply because procedures in setting up these branches were not followed,” he said.
He added that he is “guarding and protecting the Nudo constitution” and was not doing anything in isolation.
Jahanika further said he was ready to testify in court and that there were sufficient grounds as to why the delegates in question are ineligible to attend the congress.
“We are ready to testify, whether it’s in a court of law or at a disciplinary hearing,” he said.
Jahanika also acknowledged receiving letters from Amoomo.
Asked whether or not the congress would go ahead as planned, he said: “From where I stand, everything will go ahead as planned. Our party members should rest assured.”
Team ‘100 per cent VK’ presidential candidate and Okakarara Constituency councillor, Vetaruhe Kandorozu distanced himself from the fracas.
The congress will take place in Windhoek on Friday and Saturday.

NAMPA