Stefanus Nashama
The suspended Secretary General of the All People’s Party (APP), Vincent Kanyetu, yesterday said there are serious infights and power struggles between the founders and people who joined the party after its formation.
Kanyetu, who was recently suspended from the party, pointed out that the issue at hand is about who who should serve and who should go to Parliament.
He also claimed that his suspension was triggered by a statement he recently released in which he declared his resistance against same-sex marriage. In the statement, Kanyetu condemned the recognition of same-sex marriages.
“The founders of the party should know that there is nothing like time to eat. Those who want to go to Parliament for their own interests should know that it will not happen. We are here to represent the people. We should care about the people’s needs and serve their interests as leaders of the APP,” he stated.
Kanyetu says he believes that there is an agenda in the APP supporting same-sex marriage to gain votes for Parliament seats.
He also claimed that the decision for his suspension was the result of his intention to become the party president at the last party congress adding that the party founders are trying to oust him because he has the support of members.
“They are trying to destroy my reputation and tarnish my name on baseless allegations, and they have nothing to prove. I do not understand what type of suspension this is,” he said.
He said he wrote a letter to the party on Friday, demanding proof of what he termed “so-called allegations” against him.
“I want the proof of all these so-called allegations. The party should prove me on all allegations against me,” he wrote.
Kanyetu stated that he will not leave the party or form a political party as he heard some people spreading such rumours.
“I am an APP leader and member who also wanted to be the party president. It is not all about me. Party members, followers, and sympathizers should remain calm. Justice will be served,” he stressed.
Kanyetu, who got emotional in an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday, said the squabbles are happening because of the departure of the late Ignatius Shixwameni who was the president of the party.
Shixwameni passed away in 2021, after he collapsed at parliament.
“I wish he was with us. I am now getting emotional talking about him. All these infights and my suspension would not have happened if he was still alive,” he said.
Meanwhile, APP National Chairperson, Linus Muchila, said there is no political infighting and added that Kanyetu was suspended because he committed serious offences.
Muchila said Knayetu is involved in a new political party in Rundu, a party whose name he declined to mention.
He, however, pointed out that the new party is yet to be registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
“Kanyetu is the one who should reveal the name of the new party in Rundu. He is the one who goes around with the ECN forms seeking the number of signatures required to register the new party, and telling party members that he is using the APP’s database,” he said.
He indicated that Kanyetu’s suspension is effective until 19 July and that he is to undergo a disciplinary hearing.
“If Kanyetu is not found guilty he will retain his position. Find out from him about the new party he is involved in. It is none of my business. He is the one who should tell you. All I can say is there is no infighting in the party. His suspension has nothing to do with political infighting, a power struggle, or who should serve and who should go to parliament. What he is saying is not true. The party has the code of conduct and constitution,” Muchila said adding that the party only has two seats in Parliament.
“Now who should we fight for Parliament seats?”
He said the party will sit to elect the new leadership on 22 July 2023.
According to the party, Kanyetu is charged with not keeping party records including minutes and invoices, incompetence to keep and carry out his responsibilities, using the party funds to aid the establishment of a new political party in Rundu and assault on Parliament premises, sexual harassment and withholding vital information from the party.
Kanyetu has in the meantime threatened to approach the High Court to “seek justice and to clear his name”.
“Those who suspended me will have to prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.
