NEFF forges ahead with legal challenge against ECN

The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is set to mount a court challenge this week against its deregistration by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), the party’s deputy president, Kalimbo Iipumbu, says.

Iipumbu has brushed off a media report last week which said the party had given up on its fight against the ECN.

“The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters categorically refutes the media report published by the Namibian Sun newspaper, which falsely claims that the party will not challenge the decision made by the Electoral Commission of Namibia,” Iipumbu said.

“The NEFF firmly stands by its decision and the legal opinion expressed by our lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo, that the decision to deregister the party is fundamentally flawed in law, irrational, unreasonable and does not comply with the Electoral Act of 2015, particularly section 140 (6). The NEFF is resolute in its commitment to challenge this unjust decision at the electoral court,” said Iipumbu in a statement.

The party also reacted to the decision by former NEFF member Michael Amushelelo to jump ship.

Amushelelo left the party a week ago, having earlier called on NEFF supporters not to panic in the wake of the disputed deregistration.

“We are not shocked by his sudden decision to quit. It is our contention that Amushelelo has been frustrated by the system, especially the ECN.

While we had hoped that the former economic commissar would demonstrate a clear and resolute determination to combat this system and confront the challenges faced by the party directly, we respect his decision. The NEFF has stood by Amushelelo through thick and thin, including during his arrests, detentions and incarcerations, and we had hoped that this spirit of solidarity would have been reciprocated.

“Nevertheless, we acknowledge that the organisation is larger than any individual. The NEFF remains a steadfast fighting force for the working-class poor, continuing its mission with the same vigour and commitment as always.”