Windhoek
Former DTA leader Katuutire Kaura, who was yesterday appointed as an advisor to the governor of Kunene Region, has refused to confirm or deny that he has quit the official opposition party for Swapo.
Speculation to this effect was rife yesterday after pictures of Kaura, surrounded by people clad in full Swapo regalia in Kunene, went viral on social networks.
Vice-president Nickey Iyambo yesterday announced that Kaura had been installed as advisor to Kunene Governor Angelika Muharukua.
Although Kaura said he felt honoured with the appointment by President Hage Geingob,he refused to comment on his political affiliation – just a year after he was a candidate for the DTA presidency.
He succeeds Uaundjisa Festus Muharukua, who died in March this year. Geingob also appointed unionist John //Khamuseb to advise the governors on matters regarding the south of Kunene, while Kaura will confine his advisory work to the north of the impoverished region.
“I was formally appointed today, the vice-president is here in the region and he did the formalities,” a seemingly excited Kaura said.
“This is a great honour; the President and I grew up together, went to school together at Augustineum, spent time together in the United States of America as well as spent 25 years together in parliament.” Kaura said the appointment “is a tall order” but expressed confidence that he would succeed in his new post.
“There is a lot to be done.”
Kaura, who until the appointment was residing at his farm in the Outjo area, said he would now relocate to Opuwo, where the Kunene regional headquarters are located.
He served as DTA president from 1999 to 2013. Pressed on his political affiliation, Kaura said: “I know why you are asking these questions, but all I am saying is that I serve the people of Namibia, that is the beginning and end of it. I am grateful the President had the confidence to put me in this position.”
DTA President McHenry Venaani yesterday told New Era that Kaura is still a member of the party. “As far as we know he never resigned,” said Venaani. Swapo Secretary General Nangolo Mbumba labelled as a “joke” speculation that Kaura had joined the ruling party.
“We have not received any new members since we received comrade Hidipo [Hamutenya]. That story is a joke.” Kaura’s appointment means he will now earn more than what he got during his last term in parliament as an ordinary member of parliament.
Last year, the DTA executive committee terminated Kaura’s membership and recalled him from the National Assembly after finding him guilty on charges of insubordination, incitement, factionalism, promoting divisiveness and bringing the party into disrepute.The party however rescinded the decision soon afterwards.