Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Gobabis residents demand ouster of corrupt municipal employees

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Gobabis Local Authority Coalition on Friday issued an ultimatum letter to the Office of the Governor of Omaheke, and the Municipality of Gobabis, demanding the immediate resignation of employees at the Gobabis Municipality involved in suspected cases of corruption. This comes amid allegations of rampant corruption and maladministration in the town’s municipality. “Any employee that is involved, but chooses to stay on and is then found guilty by the further detailed investigations and anticipated disciplinary actions, will have to face the consequences,” the letter warned if the employees do not comply with the demand. The Coalition is…
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PDM Parliament hopefuls to approach court…as Parliament is set to open

PDM Parliament hopefuls to approach court…as Parliament is set to open

Andrew Kathindi With Parliament set to open in just over a week’s time, Lawyer Norman Tjombe has threatened to approach the courts to have his clients’ gazetted as Members of Parliament. This comes after a High Court ruling, delivered in July last year, ordered that Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) members Charmaine Tjirare, Reggie Diergaardt, Frans Bertolini, Yvette Araes, Mike Venaani and Tjekupe Maximilliant Katjimune be added to the opposition party parliamentary list, an order which is yet to be implemented. The High Court ruling had further ordered that a public gazette be published in that regard. “As a result of…
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A year required for Windhoek land resolution

A year required for Windhoek land resolution

Maria Hamutenya The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says the newly installed City of Windhoek Council councillors required between six months to a year for them to deliver on promises made to the voting populace regarding land and service delivery in the capital. PDM Secretary-General Manuel Ngaringombe said the coalition partners just won the opportunity to rule the City of Windhoek two months ago. As such they should be given more time to discuss the way forward and find viable solutions and the resources to finance them. “Give these people a chance to deliver, at least six to 12 months, if…
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Political parties shy away from Shoprite saga

Political parties shy away from Shoprite saga

Maria Hamutenya Namibian political parties continue to shy away from the on-going labour dispute pitting South African retail giant, Shoprite, against its Namibian workers. The labour dispute has been dragging for years, and the current strike which started last December last year, have now spilled over into the High Court. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the country’s official opposition party was diplomatic in its position on the matter, calling on the parties to sit down and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. “PDM wants to put it on record that any loss of jobs resulting from a continued stalemate between NAFAU…
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Govt faces borrowing headache

Govt faces borrowing headache

Staff Writer The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has warned that the country’s indebtedness is reaching precarious levels, a position which could one day hamper its ability to pay the interest on what is owed. This comes as ratings agency, Moody’s downgraded Namibia’s government debt on Friday from the previous Ba2 rating to Ba3. “The government has become so completely dependent on borrowing, that just one more small external shock will put it in a position where it cannot pay the interest on its debt. This will lead to an automatic downgrade to the ‘C’ category according to Moody’s system, which…
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PDM backtracks on Swapo coalition stance

PDM backtracks on Swapo coalition stance

Andrew Kathindi In a major clamp down, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has said that it is willing to form a coalition with Swapo in local and regional bodies if there is no other option, a shift from a directive the official opposition party had made earlier this month. This comes as PDM councilor in the Berseba Village Council, Valentia Motinga disobeyed her party’s directives and formed a coalition with Swapo. This resulted in her being declared chairperson of the village council, supported by the Swapo candidates. This occurred, allegedly, amid reports that an agreement had earlier been struck with Landless…
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PDM rejects Ombudsman’s findings

PDM rejects Ombudsman’s findings

Clifton Movirongo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has rejected and hit out at the Ombudsman, accusing him of being “captured” after he absolved President Hage Geingob for allegedly inciting racial hatred against white people. This comes after Geingob, during the launch of the ruling party's campaign for the upcoming elections last month, said he has noted a trend in which white Namibians have been registering themselves to vote “in big numbers”, accusing them of conspiring to vote for “anything else but Swapo”, a development, the President said, was a declaration of war against Swapo, despite the ruling party having had made…
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Expelled PDM member in surprise U-turn

Expelled PDM member in surprise U-turn

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)-expelled John Pandeni constituency candidate Hafeni Mafita has revealed that he is willing to sit with PDM bosses and return to the party’s fold, a week after he was booted from the party. This comes after ECN has declined the opposition party’s request to have him withdrawn and replaced on the ballot. “I am willing to go back to PDM as I am planning to issue a public and party apology. I just want to apologize and make peace with everyone,” said Mafita. Mafita said he is still campaigning for votes during the upcoming…
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ECN finally calls Shalli to order

ECN finally calls Shalli to order

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia, (ECN) has at last called out retired Lieutenant General of the army Martin Shalli after his comments about ‘cutting throats of Swapo party defectors’ drew widespread criticism. This comes as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Vice-President Jennifer Van Den Heever laid a criminal charge at the Windhoek Police Station against retired Major-General. Shalli made these comments while campaigning for Swapo in Okahandja on Saturday 7 November. “The ECN has noted with concern a video clip circulated on various media platforms where one of the leaders of the Swapo party, RT Lieutenant General Martin Shalli…
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PDM expelled candidate digs into party…As ECN decides on candidature withdrawal

PDM expelled candidate digs into party…As ECN decides on candidature withdrawal

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) former regional council candidate Hafeni Mafita has refused to apologize over racial remarks he made on his Facebook page and accused the opposition party of throwing him under the bus. This comes as PDM expelled Mafita as a member of the party on Tuesday morning, with immediate effect. The opposition party has also withdrawn him as a candidate for the John Pandeni constituency in the upcoming elections for which he was set to contest. “I have not done anything wrong. This is revenge. I am not going to apologize before the man from…
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