Stefanus Nashama
Swapo Party National Spokesperson, Hilma Nicanor yesterday said all party members within the structures have the right to express themselves without fear or favour. This is despite party member James Sankwasa saying that those who give inputs that are not in favour of the top leadership are deemed to be against the party.
Sankwasa said this will affect the Swapo Party leadership because only those who say ‘yes’ are considered and allowed to say anything in the party.
Nicanor explained that the Constitution of the party pronounces itself very clearly and that it does not block any party member from giving inputs within the party’s structures.
Sankwasa was also quoted saying: “If you differ with the leadership, you become an enemy of the party, and this will possibly affect the party negatively. We should agree to disagree.”
However, Nicanor said the Party Constitution allows everyone in the party structures to participate in party activities and give their inputs.
“Members should give their input, as long as they do not violate the Party Constitution. Maybe those who are saying that they are not allowed to give their opposing inputs, must convince members of their convictions,” she said.
Nicanor reiterated that freedom of expression is in the Party Constitution, therefore, it cannot be correct for the member to say their views are being ignored by other members.
“Let me remind the party members that they have the right to give their views within the party. They also have the right to demand answers from the party,” she stressed.
Nicanor indicated that there are existing procedures for members to follow when giving their views or participating in discussions.
“We are all guided by these procedures and the Party Constitution when doing so. Members should also know that no one have the right to block other members from giving their inputs within the party structures. The party structures are there for members to participate and discuss issues. What is important, is to follow the lines of those structures in the party,” she explained.
Nicanor said party members who make such statements in public should specify which party structure rejected their suggestions.
The “Members should be specific and clear on what they say. There is nothing like that in the party. Our party respects and follows its Constitution. We are guided by the Party Constitution,” she emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources, Tjekero Tweya, who is also a Swapo party member on Wednesday expressed his concerns in the National Assembly about the secrecy surrounding the green hydrogen project, before he was seemingly dismissed by Swapo party Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa who told him to “end up there”. Tweya has since indicated that it is impossible to give a report on the green hydrogen project every two months.
