Mutjinde Katjiua, the paramount chief of one faction of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), has brushed off allegations of meddling in the succession issues of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo).
The allegations were made by Nudo secretary general Joseph Kauandenge at a press conference on Wednesday.
He said the two OTA splinter groups are fueling division in the party.
“The office of ombara otjitambi (paramount chief) is a non-partisan institution, therefore, I have no active role in political parties, be it in Botswana, South Africa, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Angola or Namibia, where Ovaherero are citizens,” Katjiua told The Namibian on Wednesday.
Hoze Riruako did not respond to queries sent to him before publication.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah on Wednesday said during Kauandenge’s time in Nudo he never brought up issues of OTA interference in the party.
“Now that he is cornered with the unlikely support that he will not get if he runs for the president of the party, he is bringing these issues up,” Kamwanyah added.
According to Kamwanyah, it is important for politicians to be guided by principles and that they not only bring up issues affecting parties when their support is dwindling.
“However, he is right that traditional authorities have no right to dictate and interfere in party political issues. They have traditional matters to deal with.”
Kamwanyah said Nudo’s years of driving itself along cultural lines have now come back to haunt the party.
“That has been Nudo’s problem and conduct. That does not speak to the unitary posture of the Namibian republic,” Kamwanyah added.
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