Swanu infighting escalates, 10 arraigned to court

• By Hertta-Maria Amutenja

NAMIBIA’S oldest political party, South West Africa National Union (Swanu) that has seen continuous squabbling amongst factions, has taken 10 of its members to court for breaching the political party’s rules and holding an ‘illegal’ national congress.

The accused 10 members of a faction within Swanu are Dr Rihupisa Kandando, Charles Katjivirue, Alpha Kangueehi, Kairanderu Katjiari, Katuu Tjingaete, Sam Tjikuzu, Patricia Tjaronda, Apolonia Kangueehi, Uvatera Kahorere and Shakes Kenandjo Siririka.

According to court documents the accused ‘unlawfully abused the Swanu letterhead, emblems and colours’ on a notice for the national congress the members had in August last year at Thabita Centre in Windhoek.

The Swanu court application is seeking: “An order in terms whereof the first to the tenth defendants, are restrained and interdicted from utilising Swanu’s letterhead, emblems and colours. Restrained and interdicted from forcefully removing Swanu from its office in Katutura.”

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