Former elections chief quits Swapo

CHRISTOF MALETSKY FORMER Director of Elections Philemon Kanime has resigned from the Swapo Party, citing witch-hunts and unruly behaviour from the party’s youth league as the reasons.

Kanime tendered his resignation to the party secretary general’s office yesterday. He said he could no longer take the “humiliation” of senior members by the “so-called youth league” who have “neither the right nor the credentials to do so”.He also cited what he termed the “command-and-obey culture” dominant in Swapo as well as a lack of open debate.According to Kanime, the party has reached a stage where it lacks inspiring political ideals.”The party is not really living up to the principles which we fought for.I think the witch-hunt is unnecessary,” he told The Namibian yesterday.In November last year the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) called on Kanime to resign as Elections Director because of what they called his “dubious conduct” in registering the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) as a political party.The Youth League claimed he was a sympathiser of the new party.They said Kanime should have informed President Hifikepunye Pohamba about the party’s application, as the President had appointed him, and urged the Government to launch an investigation into the RDP’s registration.Kanime refused to resign and said he had done nothing wrong.However, he finally paid the price in April this year when he was put on special leave after controversy erupted around the postponed Omuthiya local authority election, which eventually took place last month.He was suspended shortly after the Swapo Party claimed he had smuggled a RDP candidate, Magnus Nangombe, onto the voters’ roll for the election of the first Town Council of Omuthiya.Kanime hit back by claiming that he did not know how Swapo had got hold of the list but he was sure that Nangombe had registered in time.Kanime and two others were subsequently suspended for an unspecified time.No disciplinary hearing took place but Kanime was replaced with Moses Ndjarakana after his term expired at the end of July.Yesterday Kanime said he was attacked by SPYL for only doing his job.”It hurt me so much and no senior Swapo member turned to my rescue.SPYL was out of place and Swapo remained quiet,” he said.Kanime said he had no immediate plans to join another political party.”I have not though about it.I want to remain a family man for now.However, if that happens, I will announce it,” he said.SPYL leader Elijah Nguare said they were not surprised by Kanime’s resignation.”The [Nyamu] notes are working.They youth have a big network and knew about him already.We know where their loyalties are.He should not hide but declare where he is going,” Ngurare said.SPYL claims several senior Swapo members remain in the party to implement handwritten notes by former Minister Jesaya Nyamu who was an ally of RDP leader Hidipo Hamutenya during the 2004 race for Swapo presidential candidacy.In the notes, Nyamu wrote: “for those still in Government, stay the course till March 21.Effect: endure humiliation; discourage loyalists; allow elections to go ahead as if nothing has taken place; Namibian image less damaged; consolidation of Nujoma’s group.”Option two was to: “Quit Government one by one and make strong statements to the press.”Effect: arouse public anger against Nujoma, reduce Swapo electoral result; cause possible expulsion or resignation from [the] party; inevitable formation of a rival party.”SPYL claims that many people still hibernate in Swapo to implement the notes.Earlier Kanime told The Namibian that he had the option of taking the Electoral Commission of Namibia to court because of the way in which they got rid of him but had opted not to do so.”I did not want public squabbles and court papers thrown around,” he said.He said he could no longer take the “humiliation” of senior members by the “so-called youth league” who have “neither the right nor the credentials to do so”.He also cited what he termed the “command-and-obey culture” dominant in Swapo as well as a lack of open debate.According to Kanime, the party has reached a stage where it lacks inspiring political ideals.”The party is not really living up to the principles which we fought for.I think the witch-hunt is unnecessary,” he told The Namibian yesterday.In November last year the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) called on Kanime to resign as Elections Director because of what they called his “dubious conduct” in registering the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) as a political party.The Youth League claimed he was a sympathiser of the new party.They said Kanime should have informed President Hifikepunye Pohamba about the party’s application, as the President had appointed him, and urged the Government to launch an investigation into the RDP’s registration.Kanime refused to resign and said he had done nothing wrong.However, he finally paid the price in April this year when he was put on special leave after controversy erupted around the postponed Omuthiya local authority election, which eventually took place last month.He was suspended shortly after the Swapo Party claimed he had smuggled a RDP candidate, Magnus Nangombe, onto the voters’ roll for the election of the first Town Council of Omuthiya.Kanime hit back by claiming that he did not know how Swapo had got hold of the list but he was sure that Nangombe had registered in time.Kanime and two others were subsequently suspended for an unspecified time.No disciplinary hearing took place but Kanime was replaced with Moses Ndjarakana after his term expired at the end of July.Yesterday Kanime said he was attacked by SPYL for only doing his job.”It hurt me so much and no senior Swapo member turned to my rescue.SPYL was out of place and Swapo remained quiet,” he said.Kanime said he had no immediate plans to join another political party.”I have not though about it.I want to remain a family man for now.However, if that happens, I will announce it,” he said.SPYL leader Elijah Nguare said they were not surprised by Kanime’s resignation.”The [Nyamu] notes are working.They youth have a big network and knew about him already.We know where their loyalties are.He should not hide but declare where he is going,” Ngurare said.SPYL claims several senior Swapo members remain in the party to implement handwritten notes by former Minister Jesaya Nyamu who was an ally of RDP leader Hidipo Hamutenya during the 2004 race for Swapo presidential candidacy.In the notes, Nyamu wrote: “for those still in Government, stay the course till March 21.Effect: endure humiliation; discourage loyalists; allow elections to go ahead as if nothing has taken place; Namibian image less damaged; consolidation of Nujoma’s group.”Option two was to: “Quit Government one by one and make strong statements to the press.”Effect: arouse public anger against Nujoma, reduce Swapo electoral result; cause possible expulsion or resignation from [the] party; inevitable formation of a rival party.”SPYL claims that many people still hibernate in Swapo to implement the notes.Earlier Kanime told The Namibian that he had the option of taking the Electoral Commission of Namibia to court because of the way in which they got rid of him but had opted not to do so.”I did not want public squabbles and court papers thrown around,” he said.