Windhoek: The Swapo Party has excommunicated four of its members in the Omaheke Region after three decided to run as independent candidates in the upcoming regional council elections, while another will contest under the Landless People's Movement (LPM).

According to Namibia Press Agency, the four individuals are former Epukiro Constituency councillor Cornelius Vejama Kanguatjivi, secretary for women's affairs in the Okorukambe constituency, Veronica Mokaleng, Swapo's district mobiliser for the Okorukambe constituency, Magret Raundikua Supii Meroro, and Omitara branch coordinator Dominikus Ganeb.

Swapo's constitution, which was amended in 2020, prohibits any member from running against the party in elections as an independent candidate. Violating this rule results in automatic expulsion from the party.

Swapo's regional coordinator in Omaheke, Ruth Kaukuata-Mbura, stated that the four renounced their membership after infringing article 6(1)(b) of the Swapo Party constitution. The article specifies that party membership may be terminated through voluntary resignation, which the four members did, or through expulsion.

Kaukuata-Mbura also urged the former members to cease representing themselves as Swapo members, emphasizing that they have effectively removed themselves from any positions they held within the Swapo party structures.

Kanguatjivi is set to contest as an independent candidate for Epukiro, with Meroro running in Okorukambe, Mokaleng vying for the Gobabis constituency, and Ganeb targeting the councilor position of Okorukambe as an LPM candidate.