Succession fights hobble traditional authorities

The urban and rural development ministry has 13 outstanding chieftaincy succession disputes, with cases awaiting court judgments, legal advice and administrative decisions.The disputes include contested removals of chiefs, rival succession claims and investigations that have not been concluded.Last month, during a one-on-one session with the Office of the Prime Minister, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa said the ministry had resolved five of 18 outstanding chieftaincy disputes.Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said the remaining disputes should be fast-tracked, emphasising the role traditional authorities play in preserving culture and customs, among other responsibilities.The ministry’s executive director, Dr Wilhelmine Shivute, told Namibian Sun that succession disputes remain among the challenges facing the ministry in administering recognised traditional authorities.Protracted One of the cases involves the Vaalgras Traditional Community in the ǁKaras region, where the ministry received a petition on 3 July 2025 requesting an investigation. The investigation was conducted between 30 September and 11 October this year, but the report had not yet been finalised.Shivute said the investigation’s draft minutes and report were still awaiting scrutiny by a committee appointed by Sankwasa.The Witbooi Traditional Authority dispute in the Hardap region also remains unresolved.Shivute said the ministry received a report from Hardap governor Riaan McNab on 10 June, following an assignment made during a consultative meeting on 15 August 2025.Sankwasa referred the report to the Office of the President on 15 June, where the matter remained pending.Two disputes have proceeded to the courts. The Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority matter was heard before Judge Prinsloo and postponed for judgment on 23 October.In the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority dispute in Erongo region, the chief approached the High Court to challenge his removal after being degazetted on 30 October 2025. The minister opposed the review application, with a hearing expected at the end of this month.The ministry has also sought legal advice following investigations into disputes involving the Otjikaoko Traditional Authority in Kunene and the !Aman Traditional Authority in ||Kharas.In the !Aman Traditional Authority dispute, one faction rejected a recommendation to resolve the dispute through elections.Other disputes remain at various administrative stages. In the #Aodaman Traditional Authority dispute, Shivute said the ministry had not received a written petition to trigger an investigation under section 12 of the Act, despite complaints that the matter had been taken to the Kunene governor.Juggling disputesThe /Gaio-Daman Traditional Authority dispute followed the death of Chief Max Josef Haraseb in April 2025. Shivute said the ministry had received correspondence about the dispute but no formal succession application.In the Vita Traditional Authority dispute, an unsigned succession application was referred to the Kunene governor’s office for verification following the chief’s death. Shivute said the ministry had received no feedback from the governor’s office.The Afrikaner Traditional Authority dispute involves allegations raised by one faction against the chairperson.Three applications concerning the Bakgalagadi Traditional Authority were received through the Omaheke governor’s office on 4 September and were awaiting scrutiny.In the Blouwes Traditional Authority dispute, government attorneys were asked to prepare a draft letter for the minister to provide feedback to two factions.In the Tsoaxudaman Traditional Authority dispute, the chief’s legal representatives withdrew an application challenging his removal on 16 September. Shivute said government attorneys were awaiting the latest court order before closing the file.

Succession fights hobble traditional authorities

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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Succession fights hobble traditional authorities

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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