Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eliaser Ndeyanale
Published on 2024-03-20 17:00:00
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) finds itself entangled in a bitter internal conflict, marked by accusations and insults being exchanged among senior party members. Harald Kambrude, an LPM parliamentarian and councillor for the Rehoboth West Urban constituency, has come forward with allegations of being sidelined by the party leadership for nearly two years. In an interview with The Namibian, Kambrude criticized the top party leaders for treating the party as their personal domain and resorting to bullying tactics against those who disagree with them.
According to Kambrude, his relationship with LPM president Bernadus Swartbooi has significantly deteriorated, with no communication between them for close to two years after Swartbooi allegedly referred to him as a “devil” during a party meeting in 2022. Kambrude attributes this rift to his criticism of the party’s approach in the //Kharas region, which led to Swartbooi insulting him further by calling him an “idiot” at a councillors’ conference in January 2023.
Feeling marginalized within the party, Kambrude claimed that he has been excluded from party events since 2022 and was removed from the political action committee for voicing his concerns about the party leadership’s decision-making process. Despite being one of the six councillors representing the LPM in the National Council, Kambrude expressed feeling like an outcast within the party.
The internal turmoil within the party escalated when LPM operative secretary issued a letter relieving Kambrude of his membership in the political action committee. Kambrude also accused Swartbooi of being vindictive and forming a clique at the party’s head office in Windhoek to undermine party deputy president Henny Seibeb.
However, LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa refuted Kambrude’s claims, painting him as a hostile and uncooperative member who isolates himself within the party. Simataa stated that Kambrude’s removal from the political action committee was a result of his behavior and communication issues within the party. He denied Swartbooi’s alleged insults towards Kambrude and emphasized that the party tried to accommodate Kambrude despite his challenges.
In another party-related incident, LPM deputy secretary-general Eneas Emvula referred to Deputy LPM president Seibeb as a “lost soul” on social media, demanding that Seibeb clarify allegations he reportedly made in public. Seibeb has not responded to these claims, but he has previously acknowledged a strained relationship with Swartbooi, who has downplayed any talk of a party split.
The party leadership is now demanding a retraction from Seibeb regarding his comments to the media. Simataa stated that the party is awaiting Seibeb’s response before deciding on any further actions. Despite the tension within the party, the leadership has affirmed their commitment to the party’s unity and growth trajectory.
The LPM leadership has also made it clear that they are not considering expelling or recalling Seibeb from parliament at this time. They are focused on resolving internal conflicts and maintaining the party’s credibility and unity.
Read the original article on The Namibian
