Swapo Returnees claim IPC misled them

By Josia Shigwedha, via News on One 

Some individuals who rejoined the Swapo Party this week have alleged that they were misled by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).

Swapo Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa showcased over 60 new members from various parties this week in Windhoek.

Most returnees were previously affiliated with the IPC, with a smaller number coming from the Landless People’s Movement (LPM).

Among the returnees was Simson Ndamekele, a former IPC member.

“I have been a member of Swapo since my childhood, and in 2021 I was misled by friends to join the IPC party,” Ndamekele shared, highlighting his renewed commitment to Swapo.

A Swapo mobilizer, Esko Jacob, further commented on the situation, stating that a group of individuals had approached him, claiming various political parties had misled them.

“According to Jacob, most of the people who returned to Swapo joined IPC between 2020 and 2021,” he said.

In response to these claims, IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge dismissed the allegations and urged Swapo to focus on policy matters and addressing the critical issue of hunger in the country.

“We don’t go around making noise about people that joined IPC; those people have joined independently,” Nashinge stated.

Swapo has decided not to destroy the membership cards of the returnees but to return them to the respective parties, ensuring a respectful transition.