Amushelelo uncertain of political future, LPM assessing reports of his defection

Activist Michael Amushelelo says he is unsure of his political future.

This is after he this week announced that he would be withdrawing from the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) National Assembly list.

“I don’t subscribe to the culture of being offered free favours. I genuinely believe that hard work and efforts should be appreciated and rewarded by those who recognise them,” he says.

Amushelelo, speaking on his next move, told The Namibian on Wednesday: “I’m not sure, I will speak to you later in the afternoon.”

Meanwhile, the LPM says the party is assessing reports of Amushelelo’s defection.

Sources close to the matter claim Swapo has thrown its doors open for Amushelelo, who did not make it onto the top list of LPM parliamentarians.

Amushelelo, however, remained mum regarding the speculation.

An LPM insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, says: “We are being told he wants to leave for Swapo, but it’s a wait-and-see game.”

Others, also speaking anonymously, revealed that the former Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) mobiliser was unhappy about being placed at number 31 on the LPM list of National Assembly candidates

“He was demanding to be placed at number two, but that position is reserved for the second-in-command,” says the source.

OUR DOORS ARE OPEN

Meanwhile, NEFF deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu says Amushelelo is welcome to rejoin the party.

Amushelelo left NEFF earlier this year, following the party’s deregistration by the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

“I stated in an interview that we are a very open organisation. We do not hold any grudges against our former economic commissar. If he is willing to come back home, we will warmly welcome him,” says Iipumbu.

However, Iipumbu could not confirm whether Amushelelo had reached out to NEFF.

What is clear, however, is that the party has already held its electoral college and drawn up its parliamentary list, thus, Amushelelo will not likely feature in the top spots.

Social media users have been emphatic this week that Amushelelo should retrace his steps and rejoin NEFF, where he reportedly stands a better chance of being voted into the National Assembly.

“My brother, just apologise to NEFF and go get into parliament. Sometimes we make mistakes without thinking,” says Madiro Fransisco on Amushelelo’s Facebook post.

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa and deputy secretary general Christine Haindaka were unavailable for comment on Wednesday.

Haindaka, when contacted, said: “I haven’t received any information. I’ll need to check, as I’m just coming out of class.”