Africa-Press – Namibia. AMID tensions within the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, co-founder and head of special programmes George Kambala says infighting within political movements is not a new phenomenon.
AMID tensions within the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, co-founder and head of special programmes George Kambala says infighting within political movements is not a new phenomenon.
Kambala yesterday spoke to Desert Radio, referring to the squabbles which have been clouding the movement in recent days after former spokesperson Simon Amunime and former head of elections Paulus Kathanga were ‘relieved of their duties’.
“The issue of infighting is not new, it will never be new to any movement – especially when we are in the process of formalising.
“Like every house, there is always a difference of opinions . . . but once the family concludes an issue, we all have to abide by it,” he said.
Kambala said the differences between the movement and the two axed members resulted from their refusal to accept a vote on the rotation of AR deployees at the City of Windhoek’s council, he said.
“The issue here is that of rotational grazing, where two of our colleagues wanted us to rotate our deployees at the City of Windhoek. A meeting took place . . . ever since we voted to a ‘no’ it seems bullying and corruption started emerging,” he said.
Kambala played down public claims of bullying and corruption levelled against AR chief activist Job Amupanda by Amunime.
Amunime has accused Amupanda of bullying and selfishness for allegedly refusing to let other activists serve in the city council.
Kambala responded to the allegations, saying he has not seen any bullying happening within the AR, adding that even Amupanda had to submit to structures within the organisation.
“We called Job to come and report to an AR caucus because of the budget and salary issues at the city.
“Nobody is bigger than the movement. If somebody is trying to portray someone as a bully I have not experienced it,” he said.
He further defended the allegations of corruption and selfishness, noting evidence should be brought to the fore to back them up.
“You must be able to back up your accusations . . . You can accuse me of stealing, I do not mind.
“You can accuse me of murder, just back it up. We are not here on games of hearsay,” Kambala said.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Kathanga admitted that Kambala is a ‘peaceful activist’, and that he has always appreciated the role he plays among activists.
He, however, warned Kambala to avoid being used.
“It is unfortunate though that he is now reducing himself to be a product of induna . . . As head of the special programmes and AR kitchen, he must please focus and open his eyes.
“He must never sit on his brain,” Kathanga said.
Kambala yesterday spoke to Desert Radio, referring to the squabbles which have been clouding the movement in recent days after former spokesperson Simon Amunime and former head of elections Paulus Kathanga were ‘relieved of their duties’.
“The issue of infighting is not new, it will never be new to any movement – especially when we are in the process of formalising.
“Like every house, there is always a difference of opinions . . . but once the family concludes an issue, we all have to abide by it,” he said.
Kambala said the differences between the movement and the two axed members resulted from their refusal to accept a vote on the rotation of AR deployees at the City of Windhoek’s council, he said.
“The issue here is that of rotational grazing, where two of our colleagues wanted us to rotate our deployees at the City of Windhoek. A meeting took place . . . ever since we voted to a ‘no’ it seems bullying and corruption started emerging,” he said.
Kambala played down public claims of bullying and corruption levelled against AR chief activist Job Amupanda by Amunime.
Amunime has accused Amupanda of bullying and selfishness for allegedly refusing to let other activists serve in the city council.
Kambala responded to the allegations, saying he has not seen any bullying happening within the AR, adding that even Amupanda had to submit to structures within the organisation.
“We called Job to come and report to an AR caucus because of the budget and salary issues at the city.
“Nobody is bigger than the movement. If somebody is trying to portray someone as a bully I have not experienced it,” he said.
He further defended the allegations of corruption and selfishness, noting evidence should be brought to the fore to back them up.
“You must be able to back up your accusations . . . You can accuse me of stealing, I do not mind.
“You can accuse me of murder, just back it up. We are not here on games of hearsay,” Kambala said.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Kathanga admitted that Kambala is a ‘peaceful activist’, and that he has always appreciated the role he plays among activists.
He, however, warned Kambala to avoid being used.
“It is unfortunate though that he is now reducing himself to be a product of induna . . . As head of the special programmes and AR kitchen, he must please focus and open his eyes.
“He must never sit on his brain,” Kathanga said.
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