Africa-Press – Namibia. FORMER Swakopmund constituency councillor Ciske Smith-Howard has accused her former party of double standards.
This is after the party failed to settle her legal fees in a High Court in January when the party wanted to institute disciplinary actions against her.
Smith-Howard was to appear before the party disciplinary committee at the IPC’s headquarters in December 2021.
The hearing was to establish whether she had committed misconduct or bridged provisions of the relevant legislation and, or the IPC policies and law.
This is in relation to her residency address which is said to be at Dolphin beach.
Smith-Howard, who has properties in several towns, dismissed these claims.
Last week, IPC again made reference to this matter in a media statement from the office of the national general secretary in which it explained why the Swakopmund constituency by-election was taking place.
According to the statement, Smith-Howard violated the principle of the rule of law and the oath of office of regional councilors and the IPC.
“It later became clear in October 2021 that she indeed “ordinarily” resides in the constituency of Walvis Bay Rural,” reads the statement.
Smith-Howard was subsequently restrained.
She challenged the restraining order in the High Court.
The case is pending adjudication.
Smith-Howard brushed off these allegations.
“IPC still owes me N$113 000 for cost order – until they pay I believe they shouldn’t talk about the rule of law,” she said.
She was booted out of the party last month.
IPC national spokesperson Imms Nashinge did not confirm whether the money was paid.
IPC called on other political parties to refrain from participating in the upcoming Swakopmund constituency by-election.
The party wants its candidate to be uncontested for the seat against Swapo.
“That shall be the acid test against which IPC and the public must judge the true colours and words of opposition political parties’ preparedness to cooperate in saving Namibia from the jaws of the looting Swapo Party,” said the statement.
The candidate to be fielded according to the statement will be put through a stringent vetting regime to ensure such oversight does not recur.
“We will encourage the residents of Swakopmund to stand by the only political party and its candidate that believes in the rule of law and that represents the overwhelming aspirations of our people for meaningful change. We reject lawbreakers, racism, tribalism and looters of our natural resources,” said the statement.
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