Kingship battle escalates

An Ondonga faction backing Konis Eino Kalenga is likely to proceed with an application to interdict urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga and Oshana governor Elia Irimari after the minister failed to provide assurances that he had backtracked on a decision to recognise Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo as the new Ondonga king. Kalenga's legal team gave Mushelenga until close of business yesterday to provide assurances, information or documents, but Mushelenga had not done so by midday. Kalenga, through his lawyer Elia Shikongo from Shikongo Law Chambers, said by Wednesday, Mushelenga failed to communicate to them, but had rather referred the matter to attorney-general Albert Kawana.“The minister has referred the matter to the government attorney for advice. The attorney advised that he will be taking instructions from his client and revert. “The government attorney requested that the matter be held in abeyance until he has properly consulted and advised his client. “We undertook to do so until Monday, 17 June on the condition that the minister provide the assurances requested in our letter as well as the information and documentation requested in that letter on or before Thursday, 14 June (yesterday),” said Shikongo. He said if this did not happen, he has instructions to proceed with an urgent application.All efforts to get comment from senior elder of the royal family, Selma Gwanandjokwe Sheyavali, who is heading the faction backing Kalenga, failed.Mushelenga announced on Monday that government had recognised Nangolo as the designated king, ahead of Kalenga, who had also laid claim to the throne.Both Nangolo and Kalenga applied to the ministry to be designated as the successor to the late Omukwaniilwa Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, who died in March.Kalenga is accusing Mushelenga and Irimari of bias in terms of the verification process and says the minister was provided the wrong information by the governor, which led to Mushelenga concluding that Kalenga's application did not pass the verification process. No comment could be obtained from Mushelenga. ILENI NANDJATO

Kingship battle escalates

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Kingship battle escalates

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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