A ruckus has erupted in the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) as some senior party members are not happy with the handling of the party’s finances.

They are now demanding answers regarding PDM’s financial standing, alleging they have been kept in the dark for too long.

“We are clearly in the dark about the party’s finances and one day, when people come to ask for the financial position of the party, we will not be able to answer,” said a party insider.

Another source said: “Money is being eaten in this party.”

However, party treasurer-general Nico Smit denied the allegations, saying there is nothing to hide as PDM’s finances and subsequent expenditure are beyond reproach.

The reason his office failed to provide reports was due to the fact that PDM’s offices in the capital were recently broken into.

“They broke into our offices and stole the computer with all the data… for two years, all the data is gone,” Smit said.

So far, no case has been opened with the police regarding the robbery.

“We have this cumbersome job of putting all data onto the computer from the hard copies,” he explained.

Upon completion of the data recapturing process, a report will be given to the management committee.

He added that some PDM leaders are simply trying everything to cast doubt over the handling of affairs within the movement.

More so, a senior party member questioned the money PDM spends on leader McHenry Venaani’s travel and subsistence allowances.

“He [Venaani] gets a salary from the party. On top of that, he gets paid by Parliament. Each time he goes to the regions, the party releases funds,” said a source who preferred anonymity.

The source continued: “When other leaders bring proposals, they are told there is no money.”

PDM is run on sound financial principles, Smit maintained, noting it is among the few political entities in good standing with the Electoral Commission.

“People always like to talk behind your back but when they have the opportunity, they are quiet,” he said.

Tension has been simmering in Namibia’s second-biggest political formation ahead of the 2024 intraparty congress, while its leader – Venaani – continues to court controversy.

He has, however, maintained his innocence on all accounts, saying his critics want to sway public attention from real issues.

The party has in the past dismissed claims that Venaani was receiving two salaries.

Whatever he is getting from PDM is either the repayment of a loan he advanced to the party back in 2014 or a “token of appreciation” according to Secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe.

“I didn’t receive kilometre fees or wear and tear for seven years. Imagine running four national campaigns on your own transport plus three weekends a month on party missions. My debt over seven years was difficult to pay back and we had to work out a monthly amount of repayment,” Venaani said at the time.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency