Swapo Dismisses Allegations of Zanu-PF Interference in Namibia’s Elections

Namibia’s ruling party, Swapo, has rejected allegations of interference by Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF in the country’s recent elections, labeling the claims a baseless attempt to undermine its legitimacy.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Swapo’s president-elect, dismissed the accusations as a conspiracy aimed at discrediting both the party and Namibia’s democratic process. She called the allegations unfortunate and entirely imaginary.

Nandi-Ndaitwah secured the presidency with 57 percent of the vote, earning over 638,000 ballots. Her victory reaffirmed Swapo’s dominance in Namibia’s political landscape.

The allegations stemmed from five opposition parties, including the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM). They accused Swapo of employing electoral tactics allegedly linked to Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF.

Among the claims was an assertion that Swapo orchestrated ballot paper shortages at polling stations, mirroring accusations made during Zimbabwe’s elections.

However, Nandi-Ndaitwah described these accusations as excuses from the opposition following their decisive loss. She criticized the opposition for lacking credible strategies to secure voter trust.

Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF also dismissed the allegations. Obert Mpofu, the party’s Secretary-General, referred to the claims as primitive and unfounded, asserting Zanu-PF’s non-involvement in Namibia’s elections.

Namibia’s Electoral Commission (ECN), tasked with overseeing free and fair elections, has yet to find any evidence supporting the opposition’s claims of external interference.

Former Prime Minister Nahas Angula expressed skepticism, suggesting the opposition should focus on creating a credible alternative instead of relying on unproven allegations.

Evilastus Kaaronda, president of Swanu of Namibia, warned that unsubstantiated claims risk destabilizing Namibia’s democracy. He emphasized the importance of presenting evidence before making serious accusations.

These events echo Zimbabwe’s 2018 elections, where opposition leader Nelson Chamisa contested the results but failed to provide polling station records (V11 forms). His case was ultimately dismissed in court.

Legal experts, including Felix Mwandila from the University of Namibia, have noted the absence of substantial evidence. He suggested the allegations would struggle to hold up in court or sway public opinion.

Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the need to address Namibia’s challenges and called on citizens to focus on the nation’s progress. She said the election results reflected the people’s trust in Swapo’s leadership.

With Swapo firmly in power, attention now turns to whether Namibia’s opposition can regroup and present a more compelling alternative in the future. For now, their claims of Zanu-PF interference remain unsubstantiated.