Uutoni seeks clan elders’ help in succession battles
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
In order to bring an end to succession battles of traditional chiefs, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has advised that clan elders should unite royal houses and thoroughly discuss issues related to succession.
A number of communities in Namibia are without chiefs recognised by the government because of disputes over who should succeed a late chief.
These disputes drag on for years, leaving communities are leaderless.
In some instances, the government attempts to give direction but it frequently results in costly court battles paid by the taxpayer.
While some communities are without chiefs because of infighting, some serving chiefs are not wanted by their subjects and are now in court having to convince the judiciary why they should remain in power.
Uutoni says the time has come for elders in traditional authorities to play a role and ensure that succession battles are amicably resolved.
“The family members and the royal houses have to sort out their issues. The minister is just there to guide and not to say who is right and who is wrong,” Uutoni explained.
“The family members have to sit. There are a lot of them and we have advised them to go back and sit down. You have elders in the families and they must come together and sort out their differences and then they will come up with one application for consideration.
“Let the elders meet and look at things that are creating problems and advise one another and move on.”
Kavango disputes
All five traditional authorities in the two Kavango regions are embroiled in disputes.
The Uukwangali Traditional Authority leader, Eugene Siwombe, was not gazetted after a Supreme Court ruling in 2020.
The Shambyu Traditional Authority has been without a recognised chief since the death of the late Chief Angelina Matumbo Ribebe in 2015 and a dispute over who should succeed her is ongoing.
The Gciriku Tradional Authority is also faced with a succession battle between three royal houses over who should succeed the late Chief Kassian Shiyambi, who died in November 2019.
As for the Mbunza and Hambukushu traditional authorities, both chiefs are still alive but there are factions within their royal houses trying to unseat them.
The Hambukushu matter is currently before the Windhoek High Court as two community members took Chief Erwin Munika Mbambo to court. The matter is due to continue on 14 February.
In the case of the Mbunza Traditional Authority, Chief Alfons Kaundu is also facing pressure from the royal house as they are hard at work to dethrone him.
There is also a dispute in the Masubia Traditional Authority over who should succeed the late Chief Kisco Liswani III, who died last year.
Another dispute involves the successor to the late Ovaherero Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro, who died last year.
It was reported last year that the Windhoek High Court was to decide whether the government’s decision to designate Hendrik Ismael Witbooi as chief of the Witbooi Traditional Authority was legal.
[email protected]
RUNDU
In order to bring an end to succession battles of traditional chiefs, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has advised that clan elders should unite royal houses and thoroughly discuss issues related to succession.
A number of communities in Namibia are without chiefs recognised by the government because of disputes over who should succeed a late chief.
These disputes drag on for years, leaving communities are leaderless.
In some instances, the government attempts to give direction but it frequently results in costly court battles paid by the taxpayer.
While some communities are without chiefs because of infighting, some serving chiefs are not wanted by their subjects and are now in court having to convince the judiciary why they should remain in power.
Uutoni says the time has come for elders in traditional authorities to play a role and ensure that succession battles are amicably resolved.
“The family members and the royal houses have to sort out their issues. The minister is just there to guide and not to say who is right and who is wrong,” Uutoni explained.
“The family members have to sit. There are a lot of them and we have advised them to go back and sit down. You have elders in the families and they must come together and sort out their differences and then they will come up with one application for consideration.
“Let the elders meet and look at things that are creating problems and advise one another and move on.”
Kavango disputes
All five traditional authorities in the two Kavango regions are embroiled in disputes.
The Uukwangali Traditional Authority leader, Eugene Siwombe, was not gazetted after a Supreme Court ruling in 2020.
The Shambyu Traditional Authority has been without a recognised chief since the death of the late Chief Angelina Matumbo Ribebe in 2015 and a dispute over who should succeed her is ongoing.
The Gciriku Tradional Authority is also faced with a succession battle between three royal houses over who should succeed the late Chief Kassian Shiyambi, who died in November 2019.
As for the Mbunza and Hambukushu traditional authorities, both chiefs are still alive but there are factions within their royal houses trying to unseat them.
The Hambukushu matter is currently before the Windhoek High Court as two community members took Chief Erwin Munika Mbambo to court. The matter is due to continue on 14 February.
In the case of the Mbunza Traditional Authority, Chief Alfons Kaundu is also facing pressure from the royal house as they are hard at work to dethrone him.
There is also a dispute in the Masubia Traditional Authority over who should succeed the late Chief Kisco Liswani III, who died last year.
Another dispute involves the successor to the late Ovaherero Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro, who died last year.
It was reported last year that the Windhoek High Court was to decide whether the government’s decision to designate Hendrik Ismael Witbooi as chief of the Witbooi Traditional Authority was legal.
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