By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, Aug. 15 – The Swapo party concluded its regional conference yesterday in the Zambezi Region, amid rumours of favouritism.
The process was marred by factions promoting certain candidates at the expense of others, and other candidates were disqualified in controversial circumstances.
Stalwart Moffat Sileze was retained as regional coordinator for Zambezi Region despite concerted efforts to replace him as some people felt it was time to put him on retirement due to his age.
However, Sileze allegedly used the infighting in the party and the resultant smear campaign to his benefit.
Other Swapo delegates who will attend the party’s congress this year include Austin Samupwa and Ruth Masake. In the past elections in the Zambezi, Swapo lost three constituencies to IPC and independent candidates.
Over the weekend IPC won the by-election in the Swakopmund constituency to IPC.
Experts have warned that the ruling party faces an uphill battle to regain the public trust amid scandals, mainly the Fishrot corruption case.
The road to rebuilding the confidence of voters is a long one, says a cadre who witnessed yesterday’s conference, as people are being elected.
“It’s just the beginning of the road as people are now interested in economic emancipation and not liberation stories, we blame favouritism, and tribalism for choosing people who are not capable to deliver, however, what is important is that the voters out there want to see services, if they don’t see any change, the opposition will always take advantage,” says a candidate who lost at the conference.
