Rival Ovaherero groups in a clinch
After one of the two claimants to the Ovaherero paramount chief position cancelled all traditional commemorative celebrations until further notice this week, his rival countered the decision and said it would only fuel discord.
Dr Hoze Riruako, nephew of long-time tribal leader Kuaima Riruako, cancelled all events to “encourage his subjects to behave peacefully”.
In a statement issued alongside Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) secretary Theophelus Uahongora, Riruako said the decision does not affect weddings and funerals, "which do not directly vest in the OTA".
He explained that the decision stems from a careful assessment of the current climate prevalent in the community to avoid harm or bloodshed among the Ovaherero people. "This further serves to inform our people to be on alert and exercise restraint when attending events where threats of conflict may arise. My leaders and I undertake to revisit this decision as soon as the current tension within the community subsides," he said.
Riruako was elected leader of a splinter group in Otjimbingwe last year.
Engineered by Riruako
Meanwhile, the other claimant to the throne, Dr Mutjinde Katjiua, said tensions in the community were - in fact - being fuelled by Riruako's group.
He was part of the leadership team when Vekuii Rukoro - who died of Covid-19 in mid-2021 - was chief. Katjiua was chosen as Rukoro’s successor by his supporters.
Through his ‘director-general’ Itammunua Meroro, Katjiua said: “The bloodshed at the Commando 2 plaza, which claimed the life of Tjitunae Katjatenja, was engineered and carried out by Riruako’s group”.
“Instead of showing remorse and calling for calm and peace, they praised their ‘soldiers’ for a job well done – there are videos of that,” he added.
Meroro accused Riruako and his group of allegedly stoking tensions at Katjiua's inauguration two years ago - to such an extent that the event had to be moved to another venue, a farm 20 kilometres outside Okahandja.
The concept of a Ovaherero paramount chief dates back to the time of the German colonial administration, which, after the death of Chief Maharero, favoured his son Samuel as his successor and suggested this position to him. Many did not recognise this status. This still applies to some extent today and has contributed to the power disputes in the community.
Dr Hoze Riruako, nephew of long-time tribal leader Kuaima Riruako, cancelled all events to “encourage his subjects to behave peacefully”.
In a statement issued alongside Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) secretary Theophelus Uahongora, Riruako said the decision does not affect weddings and funerals, "which do not directly vest in the OTA".
He explained that the decision stems from a careful assessment of the current climate prevalent in the community to avoid harm or bloodshed among the Ovaherero people. "This further serves to inform our people to be on alert and exercise restraint when attending events where threats of conflict may arise. My leaders and I undertake to revisit this decision as soon as the current tension within the community subsides," he said.
Riruako was elected leader of a splinter group in Otjimbingwe last year.
Engineered by Riruako
Meanwhile, the other claimant to the throne, Dr Mutjinde Katjiua, said tensions in the community were - in fact - being fuelled by Riruako's group.
He was part of the leadership team when Vekuii Rukoro - who died of Covid-19 in mid-2021 - was chief. Katjiua was chosen as Rukoro’s successor by his supporters.
Through his ‘director-general’ Itammunua Meroro, Katjiua said: “The bloodshed at the Commando 2 plaza, which claimed the life of Tjitunae Katjatenja, was engineered and carried out by Riruako’s group”.
“Instead of showing remorse and calling for calm and peace, they praised their ‘soldiers’ for a job well done – there are videos of that,” he added.
Meroro accused Riruako and his group of allegedly stoking tensions at Katjiua's inauguration two years ago - to such an extent that the event had to be moved to another venue, a farm 20 kilometres outside Okahandja.
The concept of a Ovaherero paramount chief dates back to the time of the German colonial administration, which, after the death of Chief Maharero, favoured his son Samuel as his successor and suggested this position to him. Many did not recognise this status. This still applies to some extent today and has contributed to the power disputes in the community.
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