Africa-Press – Namibia. SEVERAL politicians and power brokers are pulling the strings in the background, including corruption-accused campaign managers who are pushing for their candidates to move a step closer to Namibia’s Presidency.
Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s Swapo vice presidential bid is led by National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze and Swapo parliamentarian Tobie Aupindi. Businessman Vaino Nghipondoka is also a key player in the prime minister’s bid to become Namibia’s next president.
Former ambassador Kaire Mbuende is leading the charge for deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign, while Peya Mushelenga is running the national campaign for environment minister Pohamba Shifeta’s bid.
This year’s elective congress is different, largely because of the campaign rules that prohibit candidates from holding open public rallies, except campaigning at meetings organised by the secretary general’s office.
The public often saw the united front on display, with convoys and welcoming parties and processions, but behind the scenes are politicians and power players pushing for their candidates.
One candidate allegedly forcefully took back a vehicle from one of their chief mobilisers while in the regions because the said mobiliser was allegedly using the luxury 4×4 vehicle for joyrides.
Another candidate was allegedly shocked when N$200 000 collected for their campaign was spent on luxury accommodation, expensive food and alcohol-all in the name of campaigning.
RESHUFFLING MANAGERS
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s team is running on integrity and anti-corruption tickets.
Her campaign is spearheaded by Mbuende, a veteran diplomat.
“I am a campaign manager for a mass movement with structures in all 14 regions, spearheading the campaigns in their respective regions,” Mbuende told The Namibian this week.
Mbuende is allegedly assisted by former deputy works and transport minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa, who claims he is just a supporter.
Other members of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inner circle are former health minister Bernard Haufiku and former Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) managing director Bob Kandetu.
Several names have been linked to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign machinery, including deputy works minister Veikko Nekundi.
Nekundi was not reachable for comment. He is listed as a Fishrot beneficiary in court documents.
Businessman and former Rally for Democracy and Progress central committee member, Hafeni Nghinamwaami was also linked to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign.
Nghinamwaami is facing a court case in which he is charged with three counts of fraud and one count of corruption linked to the construction of the head office of the state-owned Roads Contractor Company in Windhoek. He denied the charges. Nghinamwaami did not respond to questions sent to him.
THE ECONOMIST
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s campaign team is focusing on economic reform.
Her team, led by Kandjoze and Aupindi, is using her experience as an economist and long-time finance minister to capture congress delegates. Kandjoze and Aupindi were not reachable for comment.
Kandjoze has a controversial past. The Namibian reported last month that he misled the Anti-Corruption Commission on how he appointed a company to evaluate Namdia diamonds in a deal that enriched three politically connected individuals with around N$130 million. Kandjoze denied wrongdoing.
Aupindi also had a controversial tenure as former Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) managing director.
In 2020, the High Court cleared Aupindi of a criminal conviction involving him being accused of receiving a swimming pool as a bribe while he was at NWR.
Aupindi has in the past been linked to a N$1 million bribe paid by Icelandic seafood company Samherji. He denied any wrongdoing.
Businessman Vaino Nghipondoka, who won tenders worth over N$2 billion from the government, is allegedly responsible for liaising with the business community and raising funds. Nghipondoka is also alleged to have benefited from Fishrot, but denied any wrongdoing. He declined to comment yesterday.
Also on Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s campaign team is businessman and NBC board chairperson Lazarus Jacobs, who is running her media campaign, and Omusati governor Erginus Endjala. Jacobs declined to comment when approached yesterday, while Endjala said: “My conviction tells me she is the right candidate.”
Executive director in the prime minister’s office I-Ben Nashandi is one of Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s trusted lieutenants.
Former Okahandja mayor Valerie Aron is also named as a core member of the prime minister’s war room, so too is businessman Shapwa Kanyama. However, Kanyama denied he belongs to any camp. “I am a Swapo member.”
NO EXPECTATION OF SOME RETURNS – SHIFETA
Environment minister Shifeta told The Namibian last week that information minister Peya Mushelenga is overseeing his campaign.
Shifeta said Mushelenga is deputised by Swapo Khomas regional coordinator Eliot Mbako.
The minister said his campaign national coordinator is Gerson Kamatuka, a former City of Windhoek deputy mayor who was part of a company that got an N$18,5 million land deal in the city, but later exited and denied wrongdoing. Kamatuka denied being part of Shifeta’s campaign. “I have been attending all the engagements,” he told The Namibian yesterday.
Deputy information minister Emma Theofelus is also part of Shifeta’s team, as well as youth deputy minister Emma Kantema-Gaomas. Katema-Gaomas failed to respond to questions sent to her yesterday.
Businessman Laban Kandume, who scored N$700 million worth of state contracts, is allegedly the link between Shifeta and business.
Swapo executive director Austin Samupwa is also linked to Shifeta’s campaign, but says he does not have a preference.
Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s Swapo vice presidential bid is led by National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze and Swapo parliamentarian Tobie Aupindi. Businessman Vaino Nghipondoka is also a key player in the prime minister’s bid to become Namibia’s next president.
Former ambassador Kaire Mbuende is leading the charge for deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign, while Peya Mushelenga is running the national campaign for environment minister Pohamba Shifeta’s bid.
This year’s elective congress is different, largely because of the campaign rules that prohibit candidates from holding open public rallies, except campaigning at meetings organised by the secretary general’s office.
The public often saw the united front on display, with convoys and welcoming parties and processions, but behind the scenes are politicians and power players pushing for their candidates.
One candidate allegedly forcefully took back a vehicle from one of their chief mobilisers while in the regions because the said mobiliser was allegedly using the luxury 4×4 vehicle for joyrides.
Another candidate was allegedly shocked when N$200 000 collected for their campaign was spent on luxury accommodation, expensive food and alcohol-all in the name of campaigning.
RESHUFFLING MANAGERS
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s team is running on integrity and anti-corruption tickets.
Her campaign is spearheaded by Mbuende, a veteran diplomat.
“I am a campaign manager for a mass movement with structures in all 14 regions, spearheading the campaigns in their respective regions,” Mbuende told The Namibian this week.
Mbuende is allegedly assisted by former deputy works and transport minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa, who claims he is just a supporter.
Other members of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inner circle are former health minister Bernard Haufiku and former Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) managing director Bob Kandetu.
Several names have been linked to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign machinery, including deputy works minister Veikko Nekundi.
Nekundi was not reachable for comment. He is listed as a Fishrot beneficiary in court documents.
Businessman and former Rally for Democracy and Progress central committee member, Hafeni Nghinamwaami was also linked to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign.
Nghinamwaami is facing a court case in which he is charged with three counts of fraud and one count of corruption linked to the construction of the head office of the state-owned Roads Contractor Company in Windhoek. He denied the charges. Nghinamwaami did not respond to questions sent to him.
THE ECONOMIST
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s campaign team is focusing on economic reform.
Her team, led by Kandjoze and Aupindi, is using her experience as an economist and long-time finance minister to capture congress delegates. Kandjoze and Aupindi were not reachable for comment.
Kandjoze has a controversial past. The Namibian reported last month that he misled the Anti-Corruption Commission on how he appointed a company to evaluate Namdia diamonds in a deal that enriched three politically connected individuals with around N$130 million. Kandjoze denied wrongdoing.
Aupindi also had a controversial tenure as former Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) managing director.
In 2020, the High Court cleared Aupindi of a criminal conviction involving him being accused of receiving a swimming pool as a bribe while he was at NWR.
Aupindi has in the past been linked to a N$1 million bribe paid by Icelandic seafood company Samherji. He denied any wrongdoing.
Businessman Vaino Nghipondoka, who won tenders worth over N$2 billion from the government, is allegedly responsible for liaising with the business community and raising funds. Nghipondoka is also alleged to have benefited from Fishrot, but denied any wrongdoing. He declined to comment yesterday.
Also on Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s campaign team is businessman and NBC board chairperson Lazarus Jacobs, who is running her media campaign, and Omusati governor Erginus Endjala. Jacobs declined to comment when approached yesterday, while Endjala said: “My conviction tells me she is the right candidate.”
Executive director in the prime minister’s office I-Ben Nashandi is one of Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s trusted lieutenants.
Former Okahandja mayor Valerie Aron is also named as a core member of the prime minister’s war room, so too is businessman Shapwa Kanyama. However, Kanyama denied he belongs to any camp. “I am a Swapo member.”
NO EXPECTATION OF SOME RETURNS – SHIFETA
Environment minister Shifeta told The Namibian last week that information minister Peya Mushelenga is overseeing his campaign.
Shifeta said Mushelenga is deputised by Swapo Khomas regional coordinator Eliot Mbako.
The minister said his campaign national coordinator is Gerson Kamatuka, a former City of Windhoek deputy mayor who was part of a company that got an N$18,5 million land deal in the city, but later exited and denied wrongdoing. Kamatuka denied being part of Shifeta’s campaign. “I have been attending all the engagements,” he told The Namibian yesterday.
Deputy information minister Emma Theofelus is also part of Shifeta’s team, as well as youth deputy minister Emma Kantema-Gaomas. Katema-Gaomas failed to respond to questions sent to her yesterday.
Businessman Laban Kandume, who scored N$700 million worth of state contracts, is allegedly the link between Shifeta and business.
Swapo executive director Austin Samupwa is also linked to Shifeta’s campaign, but says he does not have a preference.
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