Windhoek
The once rosy political relationship between McHenry Venaani and Vinsent Kanyetu that spanned for close to two decades is now a thing of the past, with Kanyetu seemingly opening the door to Venaani’s skeleton closet.
The suspended DTA secretary general told New Era during an interview this week that Venaani was so upset and demoralised when he lost to party stalwart, Katuutire Kaura, during the party’s 2005 congress, that he contemplated jumping ship to join the ruling Swapo Party.
However, DTA president McHenry Venaani rubbished claims he was on the brink of joining Swapo some 10 years ago, after losing internal elections to Kaura. In 2005, Venaani – then 28 – ran for the party’s top position against Kaura.
He also lost his position as party secretary general, which he regained in 2008 by beating Alois Gende. Venaani however got his revenge over Kaura in 2013 after he trounced his mentor hands down during the race for the DTA’s top seat.
“He [Venaani] was very disappointed at the time and he wanted to leave the party. I advised him against it. I know he will deny this but other people such as Nico Smit and Jennifer van den Heever can confirm this, because he also went to them for advice,” revealed Kanyetu.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Venaani chuckled off the claim by Kanyetu, insisting he is a “one-party man”.
“Of course I have friends in Swapo, just like I have friends in RDP. Never in my political career did I contemplate joining Swapo. I do not have a shaky record in politics because I never joined another party, or even contemplated doing so,” Venaani said.
He said is aware of claims that some ministers in the ranks of the ruling party came to his house to attempt to lure him to Swapo.
“Maybe he is mistaking my stance towards coalitions as my wanting to join another party, because I have always maintained that coalitions are one of the best ways to strengthen a party.”
Kanyetu said: “Maybe Kaura was right when he said Venaani was too young to take over the party.”
He added: “It seems Venaani wanted power so badly that he got drunk after getting it.”
The DTA last weekend suspended Kanyetu for his involvement in the illegal sale of the party’s headquarters in Rundu.