Lessons to be learned from SODELPA’s suspension

Suspended party have come from a high in that election to an unprecedented low less than two years later

Will the current surgical exercise aimed at saving suspended SODELPA from imploding work?

That’s the question many of its loyal supporters are asking as the suspended party faces the threat of being deregistered unless it puts its house in order. There are many issues that are wrong with the suspended SODELPA house.

Its supporters had placed their faith in it in 2018 and as a result it gained six extra seats in Parliament. They have come from a high in that election to an unprecedented low less than two years later. Their frustration, disillusionment and anger can be understood.

The supporters have done their part, but the officials have let them down.

That’s inexcusable and those found guilty of negligence, dereliction of duty, abuse of power and plain incompetence deserve no part in the running of the future of the suspended party because they have lost credibility and confidence of the people.

One only has to read the social media posts to realise the depth of feelings expressed by people.

They find it hard to believe that they came so close in 2018 and now they have lost those gains in terms of people’s faith in it.

It will be a hard road back for the suspended party. As it is always the case it is easy to destroy something, but hard to rebuild it.

Already there are disagreements, the emails published today indicate, as protagonists in the suspended SODELPA feud scramble to establish their foothold on the control over events that will determine the party’s fate in 60 days.

At the expiry of this timeline, Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem, will decide whether to lift the suspension or deregister the suspended party. Enough damage had been done to the party’s image and credibility now that those in the leadership ranks should not be surprised if they notice a significant decline in support.

And this is a lesson to all political parties - do not take advantage of your support and do not take for granted your loyal supporters.

You do this by not following the rules - in suspended SODELPA’s case it’s the breaches of the party constitution.

You cannot mislead or fool the people through poor governance.

They will find out and know. Then they will vote with their feet and kick you out.

In any political party’s agenda people’s interests should always be at the top. When the shift towards narrow sectional and personal interest begins, it spells trouble. Suspended SODELPA is stuck in that political whirlpool right now.