New Namibia president dismisses claims of Zanu PF interference in elections

By namibian.com.na

Namibia’s first female President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed claims that Zimbabwe interfered in the country’s recent presidential and National Assembly elections.

The allegations were made by five Namibian opposition parties, who suggested that Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party influenced the outcome of the polls, which Swapo won.

The accusing parties – the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Affirmative Repositioning (AR), All People’s Party (APP), and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) – did not provide concrete evidence but raised concerns about Zanu-PF’s possible involvement.

LPM leader Ivan Skrywer compared the shortage of ballot papers at polling stations in Namibia to tactics allegedly used by Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe to manipulate elections.

“If we look at the election results in Zimbabwe last year, this was the tactic used on day one,” he claimed.

IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge further alleged that Zanu-PF played a role in Swapo’s victory, pointing to a social media post by Zimbabwean presidential spokesperson George Charamba, who reportedly announced Swapo’s win prematurely.

““How do they know? Is Namibia a province of Zimbabwe? Since when has Zimbabwe had so much interest in our affairs?” Nashinge questioned.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has strongly refuted the allegations, calling them baseless and part of a conspiracy to undermine Swapo.

Speaking in Windhoek, she urged investigative journalists to look into the claims.

“Those saying it, they know it’s not true, but they are saying it deliberately to confuse our people,” she said.

“I hope there are investigative journalists in this country. If you are there, please put in efforts, team together and investigate this issue.”

According to her, media reports alleging Zanu-PF’s interference in Namibia’s elections are part of a failed campaign against her party.

“It has failed dismally. We are here, we have won, the government is under our control and it will continue to be in our control even after,” she said.

Namibia’s elections were plagued by logistical issues, including ballot shortages and equipment failures, which led to long queues and voting delays.

The opposition claims these challenges suppressed voter turnout, especially in the Khomas region.

Critics have also accused Namibia’s Electoral Commission of poor preparation, with some questioning the legality of extending voting by two days.

Despite these controversies, Zanu-PF and Swapo officials have denied any wrongdoing, with Zanu-PF secretary-general Obert Mpofu describing the allegations as “primitive thinking.”

Apart from Namibia, Zanu PF has also been accused of interfering with recent elections in Botswana and Mozambique.