KEY POINTS
- Zanu PF accused of interfering in Namibia’s electoral process.
- Opposition leader warns of long-term instability tied to alliance.
- Concerns raised about Zanu PF’s growing regional political influence.
Namibian opposition leader Job Amupanda of Affirmative Repositioning has issued a stark warning about Zanu PF’s alleged interference in the country’s recent elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Amupanda accused Zimbabwe’s ruling party of leveraging its long-standing alliance with the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) to meddle in Namibia’s political affairs.
“Zanu PF is celebrating more than SWAPO members themselves. They are actively involving themselves in Namibia’s political dynamics, and this will backfire,” Amupanda said.
The controversy reached a peak over the weekend when George Charamba, a spokesperson for Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, prematurely celebrated the victory of SWAPO candidate Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah before the country’s electoral body announced official results.
Concerns about Zanu PF’s growing regional influence
Amupanda expressed concerns about Zanu PF’s increasing presence in Namibia’s political landscape, claiming it poses a long-term threat to the country’s stability.
“We must warn SWAPO. While they think they have a strategy by aligning with Zanu PF, the effects will be felt when SWAPO loses power,” Amupanda cautioned.
According to New Zimbabwe, he alleged that Zanu PF could integrate itself into Namibia’s intelligence systems, civil society, and other facets of governance, potentially causing significant political rifts in the future.
Zanu PF has faced similar accusations in Mozambique, where allegations surfaced about party members interfering in the country’s elections. These developments add to a growing narrative of Zanu PF meddling in regional affairs, further raising tensions within Southern Africa.
The potential fallout of Zanu PF’s influence on Namibia
Amupanda painted a grim picture of the potential consequences of Zanu PF’s actions, emphasizing that the alliance could deepen existing divisions within SWAPO.
“Zanu PF will side with factions and create chaos,” he warned, adding that when the ruling party loses power, Zanu PF may realign itself with other political entities to maintain influence.
Moreover, the premature celebrations by Zanu PF officials have added fuel to the fire, sparking widespread criticism about the Zimbabwean party’s involvement in Namibia’s internal politics.
Amupanda’s statements underline the risks of allowing external influence to dictate the country’s democratic processes, urging vigilance among SWAPO members and Namibian citizens.
