Uukwambi chief seeks interdict against ‘royal’ dissidents

Citing fear of violence, the Uukwambi Traditional Authority has approached the Windhoek High Court on an urgent basis to stop an event planned for this weekend to honour all previous royal heads of the community.Uukwambi chief Herman Iipumbu filed the application against William Amwaama and Seblon Shivolo based on the allegation that they planned an event for this coming weekend without the necessary permission from the traditional authority."The community members are currently divided over the actions of the respondents. With this division and confusion, the event will certainly bring disruption and will threaten peace among the community members if it is allowed to continue,” Iipumbu opined.He believes that the event, which is planned for Saturday, 17 August, is similar to an event the authority has planned for 9 September 2025. Opposing voicesThe traditional authority plans to hold a celebration to honour all previous heads of the community. Apparently this is also the theme of Amwaama and Shivolo&#039;s event. “[Amwaama and Shivolo] do not have permission to hold an event similar to the one the traditional authority plans to host [in September 2025]. They had to get approval first," Iipumbu claimed in his statement. He further argued that the authority has the power to refuse traditional events in any area within its jurisdiction.Amwaama and Shivolo organised the event as part of the &#039;Aakwaniilwa yUukwambi clan&#039; [the kings of Uukwambi], which according to Amwaama&#039;s statement, is the ‘royal family of the Aakwambi kings’."[The event] is likely to lead to violence given the opposing voices against hosting the event by members of the ‘Aakwambi committee’ and those in favour of the illegal event," Iipumbu argued.Request deniedThe traditional authority reportedly informed Amwaama and Shivolo that they were not authorised to host the event and requested them not to continue advertising it. It also requested that the cancellation of the event be announced publicly."They were informed that the event that was organised was unauthorised and in conflict with the traditional authority’s sovereignty. This will possibly cause discord, as well as disturb the peace and welfare of the members of the community," Iipumbu&#039;s statement read.Amwaama and Shivolo refused the request and proceeded with the planning and advertising of the event, which is set to take place at Okashana ka Abed Kandongo.True intentionsIipumbu said he is convinced that Amwaama and Shivolo’s actions are aimed at deceiving community members and that they are allegedly using it as a smoke screen to cover up their true intentions. "The real intention is to mobilise the appointment of a new king for the Uukwambi people and to appoint such a person, possibly contrary to the provisions of the law."Their intention is not to honour the Uukwambi kings, but to mobilise a group of people to illegally appoint a chief without the legal channels," he claimed.He requested an interdict to prevent the duo from hosting the event and that all preparations be stopped.No proofIn Amwaama&#039;s statement, he claimed they were not aware of the traditional authority&#039;s plans for a celebration on 9 September 2025, and further argued that the law does not prohibit a traditional community from organising events like this - with or without the chief’s approval.He also believes that there is no proof that the event will cause violence or discord.Regarding the allegations that they are trying to appoint a new king, Amwaama said the community members are entitled to insist on a change in leadership. "There is no king at the moment and a mere request for a king where there is an opening is not a request for violence or chaos," his statement read.– kristien@nmh-hub.com.na

Uukwambi chief seeks interdict against ‘royal’ dissidents

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

Please login to leave a comment

Uukwambi chief seeks interdict against ‘royal’ dissidents

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

Please login to leave a comment

Login