Uutoni reappoints Gciriku throne probe committee
Ambassador joins fray
While the minister is addressing the issue via an investigation committee, the matter is also before the Windhoek High Court.
With former Namibian ambassador to Austria Simon Maruta joining the fray of those who have their eyes on the VaGciriku throne, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has now reappointed an investigation committee to address the chieftainship dispute.
This is contained in a letter seen by Namibian Sun in which Uutoni invites one of the nominees to the throne to a week-long meeting that will commence next Monday.
“This letter serves to inform you that I have reappointed the investigation committee members to investigate another application received from VaKankora Royal House, which makes it the third application from the same community.
“In terms of Section 12 of the Traditional Authorities Act (Act no 25 of 2000), if a dispute arises amongst the members of the traditional community as to whether a person to be designated as chief is the rightful or fit and proper person under the customary law, the minister is required to appoint an investigation committee to investigate the dispute,” it read.
“In light of the above, I have therefore asked the same investigation committee members to investigate the third application as from 20 to 25 February.”
The Gciriku traditional authority has been without a chief since Kassian Shiyambi died in November 2019.
Uutoni previously received two applications - from Felix Muraghuli Mashika and Bartholomeus Aruvitha Kayoka – to succeed the late Shiyambi, which resulted in the appointment of the investigation committee. The committee - comprised of ministry officials and traditional leaders - conducted meetings with the pair late last year.
Lengthy process
Upon completion of next week’s investigation, the committee will relay its recommendations to the minister, who will then relay the information to the head of state.
The president will assign the matter to the council of traditional leaders, who will also do their own interrogation, after which they will recommend a candidate to be recognised by the state.
While Uutoni is addressing the issue via the investigation committee, the matter is also before the Windhoek High Court.
This after Mashika sought recourse because Kavango East Regional governor Bonifatius Wakudumo refused to sign his application letter.
He is demanding the court to compel the governor to sign his application, or for the court to designate another party to sign it.
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This is contained in a letter seen by Namibian Sun in which Uutoni invites one of the nominees to the throne to a week-long meeting that will commence next Monday.
“This letter serves to inform you that I have reappointed the investigation committee members to investigate another application received from VaKankora Royal House, which makes it the third application from the same community.
“In terms of Section 12 of the Traditional Authorities Act (Act no 25 of 2000), if a dispute arises amongst the members of the traditional community as to whether a person to be designated as chief is the rightful or fit and proper person under the customary law, the minister is required to appoint an investigation committee to investigate the dispute,” it read.
“In light of the above, I have therefore asked the same investigation committee members to investigate the third application as from 20 to 25 February.”
The Gciriku traditional authority has been without a chief since Kassian Shiyambi died in November 2019.
Uutoni previously received two applications - from Felix Muraghuli Mashika and Bartholomeus Aruvitha Kayoka – to succeed the late Shiyambi, which resulted in the appointment of the investigation committee. The committee - comprised of ministry officials and traditional leaders - conducted meetings with the pair late last year.
Lengthy process
Upon completion of next week’s investigation, the committee will relay its recommendations to the minister, who will then relay the information to the head of state.
The president will assign the matter to the council of traditional leaders, who will also do their own interrogation, after which they will recommend a candidate to be recognised by the state.
While Uutoni is addressing the issue via the investigation committee, the matter is also before the Windhoek High Court.
This after Mashika sought recourse because Kavango East Regional governor Bonifatius Wakudumo refused to sign his application letter.
He is demanding the court to compel the governor to sign his application, or for the court to designate another party to sign it.
[email protected]
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