Divisions in Nabta Lead to Cancelled Congress

Absalom Shigwedha

3 May 2011

Works and Communication Minister Joel Kaapanda on Friday called off a congress of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) scheduled to take place at Rundu over the weekend.

Sackie Malima, the Co-ordinator of the Nabta Committee tasked with preparations of the congress, said The Namibian that Kaapanda told the delegates that divisions in the association which should be dealt with before a credible congress is held.

Kaapanda said, at the moment, there are two memberships in Nabta and two constitutions, a claim that Nabta President Magnus Nangombe dismissed yesterday.

Nangombe blamed the called-off of the congress on the committee, claiming it was inconsiderate of the views of Nabta members in various regions of the country.

He said there was no quorum for the congress to take place because, the committee selected a venue to which many people could not travel to because of the distance.

“They were inconsiderate of the views given by the regions. The venue is not at the centre, where everyone can reach. They had their own agendas,” said Nangombe.

He claimed that the whole thing was not well organised because, even the Governor of the Kavango region and the Mayor of Rundu could not attend as they had other assignments to attend to in the region.

“When the Minister came there, he said he had received many complains from the regions that they cannot attend the congress because the venue is too far,” said Nangombe.

He said the committee ignored the decision made at the last Nabta congress that any Nabta meeting should be held at a venue which is at the centre, where all delegates can reach.

Kaapanda, said Nangombe, advised them to organise themselves and report to him as from June of the progress and only then a fair congress can be held. Regions such as Kunene, Karas, Omaheke and Omusati did not sent delegates to Rundu, allegedly complaining of the distance.

“Some regions sent only one or two people, who were told to tell the congress that their regions cannot sent their delegations because of the distance. They were told to listen but not to participate,” said Nangombe.

There has been allegations that some Nabta members wants Nangombe out of the association because he is an RDP member.

On Thursday, Malima said serious divisions were expected at the congress while Nangombe said he expected the congress to go smoothly. Malima said it was Nangombe who blocked delegates from these regions as he knew that they will vote him out.

“He is interfering with the committee’s work and he will not accepts that are not in his favour,” said Malima.

The Nabta congress was set to elect the association’s national leadership and will end on Saturday. The Presidential race was set to be between Nangombe and Abel Mubu.

Other positions also to be contested will be that of the First Deputy President, Second Deputy President, National Secretary and Deputy and the Administrator and Deputy.

Since the fist Nabta congress held at Otjiwarongo in 2005, there have been power struggles within the leadership, which was illustrated by some taxi drivers staging demonstrations despite, Nangombe having told them not to do so.

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