2013-09-06Mathias Haufiku RUNDU - McHenry Venaani supporters have appealed to incumbent DTA president Katuutire Kaura to rescind his decision to hold a voting session before the discussions at tomorrow’s elective congress, arguing that it is “unprocedural” and flagrant breach of party practices. Speaking exclusively to New Era yesterday, Kaura said the voting session will precede the congress discussions to “reduce the tension,” inviting rebuke from the opposition pro-Venaani bloc which accused the incumbent president of trying to unsettle them. “Due to the contentiousness of these elections, and as a matter of fact to reduce the tension, we will first have a voting session in the morning and then proceed with the discussions,” said the party president. Venaani slammed Kaura’s unilateral decision, adding that “how can you claim to lead people democratically but you make individual decisions?” “Whether he likes it or not, I am his secretary general until tomorrow. I think he fears that I have the power to persuade people if we go into discussions first. No president can decide for the executive,” charged Venaani. The executive committee will meet later today and discuss the way forward for the congress, said the SG. “As far as I know the voting session will be done after all discussions,” said the secretary general. Venaani, who is the party’s acting secretary for finance, said he will also be the one presenting the party’s financial report for the past two-and-a-half years. The party’s regional coordinator for Kavango Region, Vincent Kanyetu slammed Kaura’s decision as “unprocedural and one that was taken individually”. “I am also part of the executive committee and I attended all the meetings but this was never discussed, he cannot make individual decisions like he does at his house,” charged the regional coordinator. Kanyetu further feels that effective discussions will not be able to take place as the losing candidates will most likely abscond from the scene. “We will not allow this to happen because it was never discussed, he cannot just wake up and decide to do things the way he wants to,” said an agitated Kanyetu. Kaura said 140 DTA delegates are vested with voting powers. The battle for the party’s top seat is becoming more intense by the day as the two contenders, incumbent president Katuutire Kaura and secretary general Venaani gear up for a fierce run-off tomorrow. Common party practices, to which Kaura also agrees, is that during the party congress the delegates first have discussions where party matters are discussed and then end the congress with the voting session. Positions that will be contested on Saturday include, president and vice-president, chairman and vice-chairman, secretary general, secretary for mobilization, secretary for information and mobilization, secretary for finance, secretary for the women’s league as well as the secretary for the youth league. “Everything is going well so far, this time around the congress is different because in the past people were nominated from the floor but it seems this time the candidates are already known,” said the unperturbed Kaura. “The best man will win!” said the veteran politician. By Mathias Haufiku 2013-09-06Mathias Haufiku
