Windhoek
Ousted former secretary general of the DTA, Vinsent Kanyetu, has joined the All People’s Party (APP) and would be officially and publicly welcomed into the party this coming Saturday, New Era has confirmed.
After almost two months of indecision, Kanyetu confirmed yesterday that he would join the APP this weekend. “[It’s a] done deal with APP. I’m joining them this Saturday,” Kanyetu said.
The move to APP has been long in coming for Kanyetu, especially after he was suspended from DTA for apparently engaging in some clandestine activities, which led to the unsanctioned sale of the party’s regional headquarters in Rundu.
With APP set to contest in all constituencies in Kavango East and West during the upcoming elections, Kanyetu said he would assist the party’s leadership to canvass votes.
“The two Kavango regions are of the poorest regions in the country. This is mainly caused by leadership inabilities within some of the parties. Therefore, I chose to join the APP,” he said.
Asked whether he was offered a senior position in the party, he said: “I’m not hungry for positions like others who cannot lead or contribute to the party if they do not have positions. I can lead from the back.”
APP garners most of its electoral votes in Kavango East and West and many see Kanyetu’s arrival as a major boost for the party. Kanyetu was suspended from DTA for allegedly being dishonest and for selling party property in Rundu without the leadership’s consent.
At the time of his suspension, Kanyetu said: “I’ve come to the end with the DTA. It’s a McHenry Trust, governed from his sitting room. I felt it is enough on my side and I have learned that I advocated for the wrong person this whole time.”
Efforts to get hold of party president Ignatius Shixwameni proved futile yesterday as his mobile phone went unanswered. Shixwameni last week told this reporter that discussions between the party and Kanyetu are at an advanced stage and that an announcement would be made within two weeks.