Swapo faces internal division after failed court bid to evict former freedom fighters from headquarters

The group is demanding answers regarding funds they claim were given to the party to assist exiled Namibians returning home before independence. The urgent application by Swapo to obtain a court order for their eviction was struck off the Windhoek High Court's roll by judge Gabriel Komboni. Former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioned the legitimacy of the legal action, stating that such a decision should have been made by the party's central committee, not the politburo.

She emphasized that the central committee has never approved taking freedom fighters to court and sought to know who authorized the legal action. Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga stated that the decision was made by the politburo, which manages the party's daily affairs, while the central committee acts as the policymaker. Swapo stalwart Nahas Angula suggested that the party should negotiate with the group, who he believes are in social distress, rather than pursuing legal action.

He also denied claims that the United Nations gave money directly to Swapo for ex-combatants, suggesting any such funds would have gone to the United Nations high commissioner for refugees. Swapo's court application sought to declare the occupation of its headquarters unlawful and to order the eviction of the