WINDHOEKFAITH SANKWASA
Hardap Regional Governor, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, has expelled Maltahöhe village chairman Simon Haikwiyu from Swapo, allegedly on the instruction of the party's politburo.
Haikwiyu confirmed his expulsion from the party yesterday, but said procedures were flouted in order to kick him out and that he was a victim of tribalism, which is allegedly rife within the community he serves.
In an investigation report dealing with the matter, Haikwiyu claimed he was being targeted because he is Oshiwambo-speaking and cannot speak Nama.
“I was told that I have been expelled as a councillor, a chairman and as a ruling party member, based on the recommendation of the Swapo branch executive. However, I was not handed a written letter to confirm this or given an explanation for my so-called expulsion,” Haikwiyu said.
When contacted, Himarwa declined to comment about the matter, saying the she is yet to brief the politburo on what transpired on Friday.
Himarwa said she did not expel Haikwiyu, but based her actions on what she was recommended to do in the company of her four-member team, which included Rehoboth Town Council chief executive officer, Theo Jankowski, and Swapo's assigned leader to Hardap Region Marlene Mungunda.
“I cannot comment on the matter, as it is not meant for public consumption yet. The party took the decision and I had to execute this mission. I still have to report back to the politburo,” Himarwa said.
However, Swapo Secretary-General Nangolo Mbumba said he was not aware of the current happenings at the village council, saying he cannot comment on the matter until he has been provided with a detailed report from the party's Hardap regional coordinator.
“I cannot say anything, because I was only partly briefed telephonically about certain issues from the same area yesterday (Saturday). All that has been said might be true and then again it might be false. I am awaiting feedback from the regional coordinator,” Mbumba said.
According to an investigation document dealing with the matter, which Namibian Sun has in its possession, Haikwiyu claims that he was targeted because he is Oshiwambo-speaking.
The document further said: “After getting the highest amount of votes during the elections, the community was not happy when he (Haikwiyu) was about to be sworn in as chairperson when they took office for the first time. The unhappiness is because he (Haikwiyu) is not Nama-speaking.”
There were further issues raised in the report, which included that Haikwiyu had isolated himself from other councillors and was continually siding with the council's CEO, Eliphas Shipanga.
Haikwiyu had also allegedly undertaken an unauthorised trip to Aranos to attend a Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) event. He apparently had an accident while returning from Aranos.
It is also alleged that he along with Shipanga had taken a decision to without the knowledge of the other councillors build a house for an artisan at a cost of N$120 000.
The report further alleged: “The council is never informed about the finances and how it is spent.”
It also raised question around why the council had not met for eight months, as well why community meetings were not held.