Ovaherero ‘battle royale’ continues
Kapuuo runs to court as Katjiua basks in OTA glory
Katjiua's key objectives
-Turn OTA into a constitutional democracy
-Establish OTA cattle enterprise
-Restart genocide negotiations
-Ensure centralised leadership
-Diversify into horticulture production
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) continues to be mired in controversy and disputes amid continuing legal challenges against the recognition of Professor Mutjinde Katjiua’s chieftaincy that was confirmed over the weekend at Onderombapa in the Omaheke Region.
Katjiua, according to attendees, was overwhelmingly endorsed as paramount chief at Saturday’s senate meeting. He will take part in customary rituals today to cement his position.
During an online interview after ascending to the throne, Katjiua said the reason he was elected by the people was the fact that he remains focused with his eyes fixed on the goals and striving for unity.
His portfolio includes having served in several committees of the former paramount chief, as well as the secretary-general (SG) of OTA.
“I was key in drafting a lot of those documents that was submitted to the United States (US) court. In fact, I also have a declaration under oath and court papers that were submitted based on vast research.
“And all the functions and engagements we had with either international or local entities, be it our government or sister traditional authorities, I have been involved.
“Over the last three or four years, we have drafted a strategic plan, the strategies are in place and as a team driver, we implement and stick to the goals. What is really important here is to stick to the goal rather than being diverted by other issues,” he said.
OTA insiders said all nominations from the floor by the traditional leaders in attendance at Saturday’s Senate meeting were in favour of Katjiua.
But critics claimed that Katjiua’s overwhelming nomination was a result of a boycott by the faction led by OTA Chiefs Council chairman Vipuira Kapuuo.
Court battle
While the Katjiua faction was preparing for the Senate meeting, Kapuuo and his legal team were busy burning the midnight oil preparing to challenge the matter in court.
In his founding affidavit filed on Thursday, Kapuuo accused Katjiua and his allies of disrespecting the Ovaherero customary laws and protocol and accused them of electing a transitional committee on the same day that the late paramount chief Vekkui Rukoro passed on.
The affidavit lists 55 respondents, most chiefs as well as members who served on the transitional committee after Rukoro’s death last year.
He added that he was added to the seven-member committee without his knowledge and consent, adding that the ‘so-called Transitional Committee’ was set up to set in motion the purported Chiefs Council meeting at Onḓerombapa that purportedly elected an acting paramount chief and finally to lead to the “purported Senate meeting that took place at Onḓerombapa, at Aminuis over the weekend”.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kapuuo urged the Ovaherero community to remain calm and “ignore these illegal processes and actions as well as ignore the emergence of Katjiua as paramount chief.”
“Everything that was happening at Onḓerombapa is thus null and void. Our customary laws and the Traditional Authorities Act stipulate very clearly what must be done in situations of such provocation.
“I shall thus write a follow-up letter to the minister of urbam and rural development in terms of the relevant provisions of the said Act, to ensure that anyone purporting to be a paramount chief designate does not receive the required official recognition,” he said.
[email protected]
Katjiua, according to attendees, was overwhelmingly endorsed as paramount chief at Saturday’s senate meeting. He will take part in customary rituals today to cement his position.
During an online interview after ascending to the throne, Katjiua said the reason he was elected by the people was the fact that he remains focused with his eyes fixed on the goals and striving for unity.
His portfolio includes having served in several committees of the former paramount chief, as well as the secretary-general (SG) of OTA.
“I was key in drafting a lot of those documents that was submitted to the United States (US) court. In fact, I also have a declaration under oath and court papers that were submitted based on vast research.
“And all the functions and engagements we had with either international or local entities, be it our government or sister traditional authorities, I have been involved.
“Over the last three or four years, we have drafted a strategic plan, the strategies are in place and as a team driver, we implement and stick to the goals. What is really important here is to stick to the goal rather than being diverted by other issues,” he said.
OTA insiders said all nominations from the floor by the traditional leaders in attendance at Saturday’s Senate meeting were in favour of Katjiua.
But critics claimed that Katjiua’s overwhelming nomination was a result of a boycott by the faction led by OTA Chiefs Council chairman Vipuira Kapuuo.
Court battle
While the Katjiua faction was preparing for the Senate meeting, Kapuuo and his legal team were busy burning the midnight oil preparing to challenge the matter in court.
In his founding affidavit filed on Thursday, Kapuuo accused Katjiua and his allies of disrespecting the Ovaherero customary laws and protocol and accused them of electing a transitional committee on the same day that the late paramount chief Vekkui Rukoro passed on.
The affidavit lists 55 respondents, most chiefs as well as members who served on the transitional committee after Rukoro’s death last year.
He added that he was added to the seven-member committee without his knowledge and consent, adding that the ‘so-called Transitional Committee’ was set up to set in motion the purported Chiefs Council meeting at Onḓerombapa that purportedly elected an acting paramount chief and finally to lead to the “purported Senate meeting that took place at Onḓerombapa, at Aminuis over the weekend”.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kapuuo urged the Ovaherero community to remain calm and “ignore these illegal processes and actions as well as ignore the emergence of Katjiua as paramount chief.”
“Everything that was happening at Onḓerombapa is thus null and void. Our customary laws and the Traditional Authorities Act stipulate very clearly what must be done in situations of such provocation.
“I shall thus write a follow-up letter to the minister of urbam and rural development in terms of the relevant provisions of the said Act, to ensure that anyone purporting to be a paramount chief designate does not receive the required official recognition,” he said.
[email protected]
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