By Shikuva Kapumburu
NDIYONA, August 03 – Burtha Thimende faced job termination from the Namibian Police in 2019 after a picture of him in civilian clothes wearing a Swapo Party scarf circulated on social media during the Regional and Local authorities elections. According to sources close to politics, Thimende was a staunch supporter of current Ndonga Linena constituency representative, Micheal Kampota, while still serving as a police officer. This led their competitors to send the picture of Thimende to his employer, resulting in his dismissal from the force.
Subsequently, after losing his job due to political involvement, which is prohibited in the Namibian police force, his village, Shankara, elected him to serve as the branch coordinator for Swapo. Now, the same village has nominated him for the position of District Coordinator to compete against the current coordinator, Maria Kanyetu, and another challenger, Ben Sikanga, after demonstrating his capabilities at the branch level over the last four years.
Burtha also actively participated during last year’s Congress campaign, supporting the current Secretary-General and Vice President of Swapo, respectively.
When contacted for comments, Burtha was reluctant to speak to the media and only said, “I really appreciate my fellow comrades for the trust they have in me by nominating me for the District Coordinator position,” before ending the call, stating that he was busy in a meeting with branches.
In Ndonga Linena, all positions are up for grabs at the District Information and Mobilization position, where Kandjeke Andreas Nyumbu will need to defend his position against two prominent challengers, the favored and popular Daniel Naimi from Karuci village, and Swapo party youth league (SPYL) committee member, Ndara Gertrud, from Nyondo village.
The Treasurer position is left for two well-known teachers to negotiate, as Eugen Hamberera will challenge the incumbent, Augustinus Shifwaku.
The District conference is scheduled for this coming Saturday, on 5 August, at Ndiyona Tribal office. – Namibia Daily News.
