WINDHOEK – Katuutire Kaura served the DTA with an urgent court application in the High Court yesterday to challenge the decision to expel him from the party.
The application cites the DTA as first respondent, McHenry Venaani, DTA president, as second respondent, and the Speaker of the National Assembly as third respondent “to show cause why an interdict order should not be issued.” Effectively, Kaura’s court application seeks to stop the swearing-in of DTA president McHenry Venaani in parliament next week. According to the DTA stalwart, the decision to expel him from the party and recall him from parliament is unlawful and of no legal force. The matter is set down to be heard on Valentine’s Day next week, February 14 and Kaura’s lawyers have given the DTA until today to give notice if it is going to oppose the court application, with answering affidavits expected by February 12.
DTA Spokesman and party Secretary for Finance, Nico Smit, confirmed that he received the interdict, but refused any comments on the issue. Kaura’s legal team, Hengari, Kangueehi and Kavendjii Inc served the DTA with the court interdict yesterday. The DTA expelled Kaura from the party and effectively recalled him from parliament for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute, undermining the authority of the leadership and instigating factionalism and divisiveness within the party. By yesterday afternoon sources within the DTA leadership said the party is seeking legal advice with a view to having the hearing postponed to a later date. New Era could however not verify this independently.
Meanwhile, Nudo says it is preparing a public welcome for 30 former DTA members at Okondjatu in the Otjozondjupa Region over the weekend. New Era has it on good authority that close to 30 former DTA supporters will be joining Nudo.
“There is a meeting this weekend at Okondjatu, we are receiving some members from the DTA, who were Kaura supporters. They are about 30,” said Nudo Deputy Secretary General and election campaign spokesman, Vetaruhe Kandorozu.
By Mathias Haufiku