Govt shuns Katjiua, impounds OTA car

The ministry of urban and rural development has informed the disputed Paramount Chief (PC) of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), Prof Mutjinde Katjiua, that as far as the government is concerned the late PC Vekuii Rukoro has not been officially replaced. Katjiua was installed as OTA paramount chief on 5 March 2022, despite protests from the chairperson of the Chief’s Council Vipua Kapuuo that the former came to power through a flawed and unlawful process. According to documents in Namibian Sun possession, urban and rural development ministry executive director Nghidinua Daniel informed Katjiua in a letter dated 30 March 2022, that the ministry will only deal with Kapuuo. “Kindly be informed that according to the ministry’s records, the Ombara Otjitambi of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority passed on and no official designation to replace him was done. If there is a need for consultation regarding the affairs of the traditional authority, the ministry will communicate to the chairperson of the Chiefs Council of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority,” Daniel wrote. Daniel responded to a letter written by Katjiua titled “Unauthorised change of banking details for funds earmarked for government 80742, fish quotas and others.”The government vehicle assigned to the OTA chieftaincy is registered as 80742.Namibian Sun has reliably established that conflict has since erupted between the two factions over the use of the OTA bank account and the monies in it. Meanwhile, in a letter dated 28 March, Daniel agreed to a request by Kapuuo to impound and park the vehicle assigned to the OTA.“We agree on the need for the government to take back the vehicle until the current dispute has been resolved. Accordingly, you are requested to hand in the vehicle government 80742 with all its accessories to my staff not later than Tuesday, 29 March 2022 for safe-keeping,” Daniel wrote. Letter of the lawWhen contacted for comment, Daniel said the government expects any matters related to traditional authorities and traditional leadership to be handled in strict conformity with the provisions of the Traditional Authorities Act, 2000 and as per the relevant traditional and customary laws and practices. “The ministry has already guided the two disputing factions as such. The two factions have taken their dispute to the courts. The courts will obviously hear and rule on what has been brought before it,” he said.Acting, OTA secretary general Nandiuasora Mazeingo confirmed that he has seen the letter written to Katjiua, but declined to comment because the matter is sub-judice.Kapuuo who insists that according to the traditional authority laws and those of the OTA, he is the acting chief, by virtue of his position of chief’s council chair, has since dragged Katjiua and his followers to court. The matter is scheduled for case management at the High Court on 27 April 2022.jemima@namibiansun.com

Govt shuns Katjiua, impounds OTA car

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-18

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Govt shuns Katjiua, impounds OTA car

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-18

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