Hamutenya defiant — vows not to relinquish presidential ambition

FORMER Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya will stand his ground at the upcoming extraordinary congress amid fears by some Swapo supporters that the weekend meeting could be thrown into disarray following his surprise axing.

Hamutenya himself hinted that President Sam Nujoma might scupper the special congress that is supposed to choose the party’s candidate for the presidency in the national elections at the end of the year. Hamutenya said he “hoped” the congress “will take place” as scheduled.The Foreign Affairs Minister was fired on Monday evening when a letter was delivered at his house shortly before the announcement was made on national television by interrupting the talk show programme Talk of the Nation.His Deputy, Dr Kaire Mbuende, who is also a Hamutenya supporter in the upcoming elections, was also summarily dismissed.Talk immediately spread that it was the Shakespearean night of the long knives, and that Higher Education, Employment Creation and Training Minister Nahas Angula would pull out at the congress.But Angula dismissed that at “misinformation” being spread by people who were “desperate” for the presidency.Members of Hamutenya’s campaign committee in Windhoek issued a statement yesterday saying Nujoma’s move, made three days before the watershed congress gathering, was meant to “create uncertainty about the future”.The statement, put out anonymously, says: “We, therefore, see this move as an act of intimidation, particularly if it comes from the highest office in the country.”Nujoma, according to some who witnessed the dismissal process, simultaneously dispatched the letters of dismissal to Hamutenya and Mbuende as well as to the media.He gave no reasons in the media statement.But The Namibian has learnt that he told Hamutenya and Mbuende that they had breached party rules by involving themselves in the Omaheke regional Swapo elections.The letter reportedly read that: “I have the honour to formally inform you that you are, as of today, relieved of your duties and responsibilities.”I want, specifically, to point out that your recent clandestine political activities have clearly illustrated that you have been sowing seeds of disunity that have led to the illegal and unauthorised primary elections in Omaheke, which are contrary to the Swapo Party constitution and procedures, Government policy of national reconciliation and unity among the rank and file of Swapo members as well as the entire citizens [sic] of the Republic of Namibia.”As soon as you receive this letter you are obliged to vacate the office.”Hamutenya and his deputy are the first Cabinet members to be fired publicly by Nujoma.He could not be reached for comment.The former Foreign Minister’s supporters have denied that Hamutenya has ever set foot in the Omaheke, particularly not at the time when the primary elections were held in January.Swapo called the elections “a mistake”, but has done nothing about it.Repeated attempts to get comment from the Office of the President and Swapo about the alleged “clandestine political activities” proved fruitless.Swapo Deputy Secretary General John Pandeni yesterday declined to comment, saying he was in a meeting.Meanwhile, concerned about whether the congress will proceed has been fuelled by the lack of a firm decision on the venue.The congress is scheduled for Friday and Saturday but no one at the Swapo office could say where it would take place.This is seen as a move to confuse delegates, particularly those seen as not favouring Lands Minister Hifikepunye Pohamba, Nujoma’s preferred candidate.Nujoma is reportedly warming to Angula’s nomination, but remains rabidly opposed to Hamutenya.Angula said talk that he would withdraw “…is just propaganda by mischievous” people.He said he would only pull out if “instructed” by the people who nominated him.”There will be nothing like withdrawing, [not] even at gunpoint.Since I’m not so aggressive like some desperate people, they want to create some confusion Hamutenya’s campaign committee said: “The dismissal of Honourable Hamutenya and his deputy has a chilling effect on the exercise of that democratic right.It, definitely, serves to stifle our young democracy and the people’s determination to make their choices in liberty and freedom as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Namibia.”Hamutenya said he “hoped” the congress “will take place” as scheduled.The Foreign Affairs Minister was fired on Monday evening when a letter was delivered at his house shortly before the announcement was made on national television by interrupting the talk show programme Talk of the Nation.His Deputy, Dr Kaire Mbuende, who is also a Hamutenya supporter in the upcoming elections, was also summarily dismissed.Talk immediately spread that it was the Shakespearean night of the long knives, and that Higher Education, Employment Creation and Training Minister Nahas Angula would pull out at the congress.But Angula dismissed that at “misinformation” being spread by people who were “desperate” for the presidency.Members of Hamutenya’s campaign committee in Windhoek issued a statement yesterday saying Nujoma’s move, made three days before the watershed congress gathering, was meant to “create uncertainty about the future”.The statement, put out anonymously, says: “We, therefore, see this move as an act of intimidation, particularly if it comes from the highest office in the country.”Nujoma, according to some who witnessed the dismissal process, simultaneously dispatched the letters of dismissal to Hamutenya and Mbuende as well as to the media.He gave no reasons in the media statement.But The Namibian has learnt that he told Hamutenya and Mbuende that they had breached party rules by involving themselves in the Omaheke regional Swapo elections.The letter reportedly read that: “I have the honour to formally inform you that you are, as of today, relieved of your duties and responsibilities.”I want, specifically, to point out that your recent clandestine political activities have clearly illustrated that you have been sowing seeds of disunity that have led to the illegal and unauthorised primary elections in Omaheke, which are contrary to the Swapo Party constitution and procedures, Government policy of national reconciliation and unity among the rank and file of Swapo members as well as the entire citizens [sic] of the Republic of Namibia.”As soon as you receive this letter you are obliged to vacate the office.”Hamutenya and his deputy are the first Cabinet members to be fired publicly by Nujoma.He could not be reached for comment.The former Foreign Minister’s supporters have denied that Hamutenya has ever set foot in the Omaheke, particularly not at the time when the primary elections were held in January.Swapo called the elections “a mistake”, but has done nothing about it.Repeated attempts to get comment from the Office of the President and Swapo about the alleged “clandestine political activities” proved fruitless.Swapo Deputy Secretary General John Pandeni yesterday declined to comment, saying he was in a meeting.Meanwhile, concerned about whether the congress will proceed has been fuelled by the lack of a firm decision on the venue.The congress is scheduled for Friday and Saturday but no one at the Swapo office could say where it would take place.This is seen as a move to confuse delegates, particularly those seen as not favouring Lands Minister Hifikepunye Pohamba, Nujoma’s preferred candidate.Nujoma is reportedly warming to Angula’s nomination, but remains rabidly opposed to Hamutenya.Angula said talk that he would withdraw “…is just propaganda by mischievous” people.He said he would only pull out if “instructed” by the people who nominated him.”There will be nothing like withdrawing, [not] even at gunpoint.Since I’m not so aggressive like some desperate people, they want to create some confusion Hamutenya’s campaign committee said: “The dismissal of Honourable Hamutenya and his deputy has a chilling effect on the exercise of that democratic right.It, definitely, serves to stifle our young democracy and the people’s determination to make their choices in liberty and freedom as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Namibia.”