Allexer Namundjembo
Former swapo member Reinhold Shipwikineni has issued an apology to Swapo, its leadership and members.
The apology follows a High Court judgement delivered in Windhoek on March 20, which dismissed an application by Shipwikineni and four others. The group had challenged the party’s decision not to hold an extraordinary congress within three months after a leadership vacancy following the death of President Hage Geingob.
The court ruled the matter had become moot, as the congress had already taken place and the vacancy had been filled.
“The relief sought by the applicants has since become moot,” the judgement reads.
The court also ordered the applicants to pay the legal costs of the respondents. In a counterapplication, the court declared a letter written by Shipwikineni on May 22, 2023, as “false, unauthorised, and unlawful.”
In the letter, he claimed to suspend the party president and assume the role of acting president.
The court ruled that he had no authority to take such actions and that it breached the party’s constitution.
He was ordered to retract the letter and issue an unconditional apology within seven court days.
In a letter dated 24 March addressed to Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, Shipwikineni admitted wrongdoing.
“I hereby submit my unconditional apology to the Swapo party, its leadership, and its members. I acknowledge that my actions, specifically regarding the unauthorised use of the party letterhead, were wrong and did not align with the constitutional procedures of the party,” he said.
He said he accepts the court’s findings on the main matter.
“I accept the court’s findings on the main matter regarding the late president Dr Hage Geingob. However, it is important to note that of the reliefs sought by the SWAPO Party respondent, the High Court dismissed two key applications against me: the request for an interdict to prevent me from making future statements regarding party leaders and the request for punitive cost orders against me,” the letter reads.
He said the court did not grant all the relief sought by the party.
“However, I note that Judge Boas Usiku did not order the Swapo party to pay my legal costs in relation to their failed reliefs. I respect the court’s decision, apologise for the technical errors in the main claim, and will continue to work for the unity and peace of the organisation, for peace is more valuable than a bag of gold.”
He said the dismissal of some applications reflects the importance of democratic expression within political parties while maintaining respect for the court’s decision.
