• ELIASER NDEYANALE and HILENI NEMBWAYA
THE chairperson of Swapo leaders assigned to the Oshana region, Veikko Nekundi, has told party members spreading rumours about their fellow comrades to buy zips from Chinese shops and zip their mouths.
He said lies and disunity among party members are destroying the party.
Nekundi said this while addressing the Swapo regional conference for the Oshana region at Ongwediva yesterday.
Oshana held the conference yesterday after it was cancelled at the last minute on Saturday due to alleged infighting and irregularities.
This led to Oshana regional executive committee and Swapo leaders assigned to the region being summoned by the party's secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, to State House to meet the Swapo politburo, which is chaired by president Hage Geingob.
Party regional coordinator Samuel Nelongo yesterday told The Namibian the meeting was called to hear the Oshana region's complaints.
Nelongo said there was a complaint on the elimination process and on candidates being added to the names of those who were recommended by the regional executive committee.
“We felt this confusion needed to be ironed out before the regional conference takes place. All the problems have been solved to the satisfaction of those who were complaining,” Nelongo said.
Speaking at the conference, Nekundi said Swapo in the Oshana region has been divided since 2017.
“Comrades, unite. Don't be in groups that defined your behaviour five years ago. You must be in groups that define you moving forward,” he said.
He said party members should unite and stop spreading rumours about each other.
Nekundi said those who spread lies about each other should keep their mouths shut.
“I understand the Chinese shops are also at Ongwediva, where we are today. I understand they sell zips.
“If you only want to talk bad things about other people, buy them and zip your mouth. I am urging you.
“Let's be united, let's be one, let's embrace the value and propositions of togetherness in the interest of one Namibia, one nation for a strong Swapo for now and the future,” he said.
He said party members should ask themselves why they have joined the party and whether they live up to its ideals.
“If your behavouir today and yesterday was negative I urge you to be born again within the colours of blue, red and green,” he said.
Nekundi, who is also the deputy minister of works and transport, said party members should stop criticising leaders and party members on social media platforms or in public.
“Even if you have contrary views and get defeated…you must follow the values of the meeting. You must suppress your personal feelings,” he said.
Nekundi said party members should also stop paying those spreading rumours.
“Some of you have become TransNamib – trains filling up the wagons with lies about others, comrades.
“No, you cannot become TransNamib, otherwise you must go to Bipa and become a Pty Limited and acquire locomotives…
“If you are on that wagon now, comrade, auction it now. I believe there are many buyers out there who are not Swapo members.
“We have become accompanists (sic) for opposition parties. What the opposition says, we support them. What is that?” he asked.
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