Masubia chieftainship battle ongoing

After two chief hopefuls were disqualified from the Masubia throne, a dispute has arisen over which of the two qualifying chief candidates should take over since the passing of the late Kisco Maiba Liswani III, who died in July 2021.

Liswani III and his late wife died after contracting the Covid-19 virus. However, since his death, a battle has ensued over who should succeed him.

The matter has since been taken up by the urban and rural development ministry, which has instituted a committee to investigate the issue.

The hearings were conducted between 5 and 18 December 2022 as well as from 15 to 20 May this year.

The ministry reviewed the applications submitted by several candidates, including Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa, a former legal drafter in the justice ministry; Fredrick Nalisa, the former Katima Mulilo Police Station commander; James Kabati Maiba; and Trevor Chiswaniso Maiba, the late chief's son.

Rural development minister Erastus Uutoni said a report issued following the investigation showed that the rightful heirs to the Masubia throne are the two surviving princesses, Sehwe and Sinte Maiba. However, due to ill health, they are unable to ascend to the throne.

Findings

This has led to the four applicants expressing their desire to succeed to the throne.

However, according to Masubia customary law, the chief must come from the patrimonial lineage. This disqualifies James Kabati Maiba and Fredrik Nalisa, as they originate from the matrimonial lineage.

“According to Masubia customary law, the qualified candidates to ascent to the throne of the Masubia Traditional Authority are Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa and Trevor Chiswaniso Maiba, who are both from the patrimonial lineage,” Uutoni wrote.

“Although the two are qualified candidates among others, the power to designate a chief lies with the authorised royal family members, who, in terms of Masubia customary law, have the jurisdiction to designate the rightful candidate who is fit and proper to ascent to the throne.”

Deadline

Uutoni said he would give the royal family three months to nominate a single candidate for the position of the new chief of the Masubia tribe. If they fail to do so, the matter will be referred to the Masubia Chief’s Council for the designation of a chief.

A close source to the royal family at the weekend said the two princesses chose Maiba, but they are reportedly backtracking on their decision.

Since the death of Liswani III, Namibian Sun has reported about the Masubia throne, which at one point was the subject of a High Court matter after a claimant to the throne took the other nominees to court prior to their coronation.

Father’s wishes

Late last year, Namibian Sun engaged Maiba’s eldest brother, Richard, who said his late father preferred that Trevor take over the chieftainship.

Richard also said that by virtue of being the eldest, it would ordinarily make him the preferred candidate; however, he will respect the wishes of his father, who, while he was alive, informed his children that Trevor would succeed him.

Richard added that all this is contained in the will of his father, which was stolen out of the late chief’s room when he died.

"We, as the children of the late chief, all knew what our father wanted, and it was Trevor to succeed him,” he said.

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