• By Stefanus Nashama

The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is still nursing deep political wounds after it was deregistered by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), a move the party says left lasting damage ahead of the 2024 national elections.
Although the ECN has since reinstated NEFF and government compensatws them, the party’s deputy leader and member of parliament, Kalimbo Iipumbu on Monday said the damage to their political trust and momentum cannot be undone.

“Although we were compensated for what we did not receive during our deregistration, that [compensation] is not something to celebrate. The decision caused serious political losses and disrupted the entire structure of the party,” said Iipumbu.

NEFF, alongside the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), was deregistered in June 2024 after failing to submit and publish financial statements in line with the Electoral Act. This disqualification came just months before the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections, leaving the party sidelined during a crucial campaign period.

The party took the matter to the High Court, which ruled in its favour in September 2024. But by then, Iipumbu said, the damage had already been done.“By the time we were reinstated and compensated, we had already lost valuable time to campaign, reconnect with voters, and restore trust. The ECN’s decision shook our support base,” he said.

Iipumbu, however, did not disclose the exact amount of the compensation received. He instead emphasised, the loss of momentum and trust of their electorate was far more significant than any financial reimbursement. The deregistration also triggered internal instability. Notably, high-profile member Michael Amushelelo resigned from the party and joined the Landless People’s Movement (LPM),. He however returned after NEFF was reinstated. 

Several other supporters reportedly abandoned the party altogether, which may also be considered to have contributed to its low performance during that year’s elections. The party secured only a single seat in parliament, down from two in the previous term.

Last year, NEFF claimed that the ECN’s decision to deregister the party was politically motivated, aimed at sabotaging its existence due to the growing influence it had in advocating for workers’ rights and opposing the controversial labour hire system in the country.

Political science graduate Alfeus Kudumo echoed the concern, saying the NEFF’s deregistration came at a high cost. 
“Rebuilding trust will take time. Some supporters moved on the moment the party disappeared from the ballot,” Kudumo said.

He also noted that although the 2024 elections were marked by a wave of political change, the ECN’s decision likely influenced voter behaviour, especially among undecided and younger voters