Amushelelo’s arrival not an election ploy – LPM

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) chief whip Utaara Mootu says the party is not using Michael Amushelelo to attract northern voters.

Mootu made these remarks at the LPM headquarters in Windhoek yesterday while welcoming Amushelelo as a party member.

“It is not going to be a northern issue or northern gimmick that we’re going to try and use, because we have also had leaders that have been pushing, who are invested in the northern regions and have been pushing for the struggles of the people in those regions,” said Mootu.

“This is a young man who has really shown leadership and great interest in moving the country forward by representing youth, that are unemployed, the workers’ struggles and various social and economic issues within the country.”

Mootu said the LPM has been engaging Amushelelo since before he joined the party.

“We are very much familiar with his work, his tactics. We are willing to really see how we can learn from one another and to move the movement forward. We know that he’s going to be a great energy, bring a great drive and he’s going to expose more corrupt acts within the government.” Meanwhile, Amushelelo said he could not join Swapo because he’s afraid people would call him a sell-out.

“I support anything that opposes Swapo. I am going to continue fighting injustice and for the restoration of the land to our people. I will fight for the economic emancipation of our people. We will make sure that each and every Namibian is finally able to enjoy the fruits of our independence.”

Amushelelo said he is not joining LPM for any benefits as it’s not up to him to decide to go to parliament but for party members to decide.

“I joined the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), I didn’t benefit anything, in fact I lost more than what I’ve been given. Ask anyone now from NEFF, who has slept in a prison, who had to spend seven months away from their family?

“I didn’t abandon NEFF, in fact, if anyone abandoned them, it is the people who are supposed to make sure that the statements are given in on time.”

Last week, NEFF deputy leader Longinus Iipumbu said the party stood by Amushelelo through thick and thin, including during his arrests, detentions and incarcerations.

“We had hoped that this spirit of solidarity would have been reciprocated,” said Iipumbu.

Amushelelo said if the LPM gets deregistered for whatever reason, then he will also jump ship.

“I’m not a tree, I’m not bound to stay in one particular position.

Because I’m a human being, change is inevitable.”

Amushelelo said LPM must be ready to be constantly reminded by him to do what’s right.

“I’ve learned a great lesson now, whoever is in charge of the affairs of LPM in terms of finances must be ready to be haunted by me. Every second month I’ll ask if we have submitted whatever we need to submit to the ECN.”

Mootu said Amushelelo is open to ask questions about the LPM’s finances and operations.

“LPM is very transparent. This is not going to be something that is going to be a struggle for him,” she added.