UPDATE: Nudo recalls local authority councillors

WINDHOEK, 31 MAY – National United Democratic Organisation (Nudo) president, Asser Mbai on Thursday suspended five members from the party, including three local authority councillors he also recalled.
Mbai made the announcement of the suspensions of Joseph Kauandenge, Uahimisa Kaapehi, Munjasa Karuhumba, Utjiua Muinjangue and Stephanus Zakaapi during a media conference at the party head office in Windhoek.
Kauandenge, Kaapehi and Karuhumba have consequently been recalled from their positions where they serve respectively at local authorities in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Okakarara.
Reasons for their suspension, according to Mbai, will be determined by a disciplinary committee, which is still to be established.
Deputy secretary general, Vetaruhe Kandorozu said this disciplinary committee will pronounce itself on the matter and the whole disciplinary process will be completed within three months.
Kandorozu further said the three councillors will be replaced by those gazetted along with them.
All five suspended party members are supporters of ‘Team Nudo’, which elected Muinjangue as Nudo president at the congress.
The congress ended chaotically, with Muinjangue claiming to be the new party president and Mbai vowing to continue as president until another congress.
Responding to news of the suspension, Kauandenge acknowledged receipt of the letter of suspension, but said he will remain as councillor as “Mbai is no longer the president of Nudo after the third elective congress of 25-26 May”.
“It is clear that there are two factions within the party and only a court of law can decide on the matter,” he said.
Kaapehi told Nampa he has not yet received any suspension notice, but echoed Kauandenge, saying Mbai’s action is invalid as he is no longer in the leadership of Nudo.
Meanwhile, Muinjangue issued a media statement on Thursday, indicating that she has “suspended Mbai and Meundju Jahanika from Parliament with immediate effect”.
The credibility of Miunjangue’s election is however a bone of contention as only delegates from her camp (Team Nudo) participated in the voting process.
Delegates from the opposing ‘Team 100 per cent VK’ said they were denied entry into the voting venue, while others opted to abstain from what they termed an ‘illegal’ process.
Miunjangue in Thursday’s statement claimed that the party has lost over N.dollars 500 000 that allegedly disappeared under Mbai and Jahanika’s watch.
She called on the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.
“We are the legitimate leaders of this party following the congress resolution of 26 May 2018, hence Mbai and Jahanika have no right to suspend anyone or carry out any activities under the name of Nudo,” her statement reads.
(NAMPA)