Swapo women slam ‘smear campaign’

THE Swapo Women’s Council has cautioned its members against alleged “unscrupulous elements” they say are trying to divide the ruling party.

At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, the council’s secretary Eunice Iipinge referred to letters penned by one Ananias Nghifitikeko that are aimed at discrediting former Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya, saying they were an attempt to weaken Swapo’s stronghold. “Those faceless people are not Swapo members.They are agents who are becoming friends of Swapo members.They think we will be moved, but we will never be moved by anybody,” she said.”Our unity is bonded in blood.”Iipinge said it was possible that the people behind such letters might be posing as party members, but from their behaviour and attitude it was easy to determine that they were not true party members.She warned members that such people could be among them and called for them to be exposed immediately.”If we don’t expose them they will continue to go from door to door.We have to eliminate them.We brought democracy to this country, but they are abusing this democracy,” contended Iipinge.She said the party was not secretive when it came to airing its differences and said issues were discussed openly within party structures.Iipinge added that it was unheard of for members to resort to writing letters to express their dissatisfaction.”We do not take things to papers.We do not hide our identity when we are discussing things,” she said.Iipinge said she believed Hamutenya was chosen as a target to discredit because it was obvious that he was “strong pole of Swapo”.”Hamutenya’s blood is a Swapo’s blood,” she added.”By focusing on him, it is just that they know he is a strong member of Swapo.”She appeared confident that the party’s presidential candidate Hifikepunye Pohamba would sweep to an overwhelming majority in the upcoming elections and urged the party to win all parliamentary seats as well.Iipinge added that it was expected that members would chose to support different candidates and that this did not indicate division within the party.”Those faceless people are not Swapo members.They are agents who are becoming friends of Swapo members.They think we will be moved, but we will never be moved by anybody,” she said.”Our unity is bonded in blood.”Iipinge said it was possible that the people behind such letters might be posing as party members, but from their behaviour and attitude it was easy to determine that they were not true party members.She warned members that such people could be among them and called for them to be exposed immediately.”If we don’t expose them they will continue to go from door to door.We have to eliminate them.We brought democracy to this country, but they are abusing this democracy,” contended Iipinge.She said the party was not secretive when it came to airing its differences and said issues were discussed openly within party structures.Iipinge added that it was unheard of for members to resort to writing letters to express their dissatisfaction.”We do not take things to papers.We do not hide our identity when we are discussing things,” she said.Iipinge said she believed Hamutenya was chosen as a target to discredit because it was obvious that he was “strong pole of Swapo”.”Hamutenya’s blood is a Swapo’s blood,” she added.”By focusing on him, it is just that they know he is a strong member of Swapo.”She appeared confident that the party’s presidential candidate Hifikepunye Pohamba would sweep to an overwhelming majority in the upcoming elections and urged the party to win all parliamentary seats as well.Iipinge added that it was expected that members would chose to support different candidates and that this did not indicate division within the party.