Uukwambi authority choice of leader challenged
Community not consulted, letter claims
A legal letter argues that Pokolo does not have the interests of the subjects of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority at heart.
A concerned community member, Adolf Katangolo, has formally petitioned the Uukwambi Traditional Authority to recall the nomination and intended appointment of Jesaya Develias Pokolo as a traditional leader, citing multiple grounds of alleged impropriety and community dissatisfaction.
In a letter dated 5 June, addressed to Chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu, Katangolo, through his legal representatives at Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, challenged the legitimacy and transparency of Pokolo’s appointment.
According to the legal correspondence, the appointment may contravene Sections 10(1) and 10(2) of the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000.
Katangolo contends that Pokolo does not hold communal land rights within the area he has been nominated to oversee and primarily resides in another village.
The letter further alleges that the community was not consulted.
“Many, if not the majority of the populace, were not aware of such nomination and intended appointment,” the letter stated, referencing feedback from a recent community meeting.
Allegations highlighted
Additional concerns raised include an unresolved case involving Pokolo and the Uukwambi Traditional Authority over allegedly illegally fenced-off communal land. Katangolo also argues that despite Pokolo having been reportedly instructed to remove the fencing, it allegedly remains in place.
Pokolo has also been accused in incidents where animals were allegedly killed, leading to a criminal case being opened against him with the Namibian police and accusations of the unauthorised sale of another person’s property without delivering proceeds to the rightful owner.
“These are but a few incidents of factual bases,” the lawyers wrote, “in terms of which our client raises issue with the nomination and intended appointment of an individual who clearly does not have the interests of the subjects of the traditional authority at heart.”
Katangolo is appealing to Iipumbu to invalidate the nomination and allow the community to democratically select a leader of their choice, saying that move emphasises the importance of upholding grassroots democracy and preserving the community’s trust in traditional leadership.
The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has been given five working days to respond to the legal demand and has not responded at the time of going to press.
In a letter dated 5 June, addressed to Chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu, Katangolo, through his legal representatives at Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, challenged the legitimacy and transparency of Pokolo’s appointment.
According to the legal correspondence, the appointment may contravene Sections 10(1) and 10(2) of the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000.
Katangolo contends that Pokolo does not hold communal land rights within the area he has been nominated to oversee and primarily resides in another village.
The letter further alleges that the community was not consulted.
“Many, if not the majority of the populace, were not aware of such nomination and intended appointment,” the letter stated, referencing feedback from a recent community meeting.
Allegations highlighted
Additional concerns raised include an unresolved case involving Pokolo and the Uukwambi Traditional Authority over allegedly illegally fenced-off communal land. Katangolo also argues that despite Pokolo having been reportedly instructed to remove the fencing, it allegedly remains in place.
Pokolo has also been accused in incidents where animals were allegedly killed, leading to a criminal case being opened against him with the Namibian police and accusations of the unauthorised sale of another person’s property without delivering proceeds to the rightful owner.
“These are but a few incidents of factual bases,” the lawyers wrote, “in terms of which our client raises issue with the nomination and intended appointment of an individual who clearly does not have the interests of the subjects of the traditional authority at heart.”
Katangolo is appealing to Iipumbu to invalidate the nomination and allow the community to democratically select a leader of their choice, saying that move emphasises the importance of upholding grassroots democracy and preserving the community’s trust in traditional leadership.
The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has been given five working days to respond to the legal demand and has not responded at the time of going to press.
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