/Gobanin leadership dividing community

The /Gobanin Chiefs Council has also been accused of dividing the traditional community through what has been described as “unconstitutional actions”.
Chief Stephanus Gariseb and the council are further being accused of swearing in family and friends as councillors, while ignoring members of the !Khob/Gobanin community.
Members of the !Khob/Gobanin traditional community last week made these accusations in a letter, which also named Dawid Goagoseb and Isak Eksteen as the national coordinator and executive member, respectively, of a committee taking up their grievances
In the letter it is alleged that the traditional authority is unwilling to gazette their members as councillors, and will also not consult or negotiate with them on any matter affecting them.
The /Gobanin Traditional Authority is claiming that the committee wants to impose their own traditional chief, instead of the serving Gariseb.
“At this stage we are not considering that option, but we can easily join such a drive,” the committee members said.
It is further claimed that the chief and his council only work together with those who they favour, while claiming that others do not fall within their area of jurisdiction.
The committee members claimed that not all /Gobanin Traditional Council members are residing within the traditional area.
They alleged that the customary traditional area of the /Gobanin includes Auob and ?Oa-//ob.
“The !Khob members residing in these areas also needs to be gazetted. There is a clandestine discrimination against the !Khob/Gobanin,” they claimed.
They further pointed out several shortcomings in the operations of the traditional authority, including that the customary laws are insufficient, and do not address the wishes of the majority.
“There are no advertisements of vacancies, like the positions of the secretary to the /Gobanin Traditional Authority and the driver for the authority,” the committee claimed.
They claimed that only those whom the chief favours are appointed as councillors or staff members.
“Such practices border on corruption,” the letter said, adding that such appointments are being made without recommendations from the /Gobanin Royal House.
The committee argues that to date, no Community Trust Fund has been established, and if such a fund exists, no financial reports have been released to the community.
They allege that a guiding document titled the ‘Annual Programme and Budget’, outlining the implementation of desired activities, as drawn up by /Gobanin communities and tabled to the traditional authority, was ignored.
The authority is further accused of ignoring the pleas of the committee, who have encouraged the communities residing under the traditional authority to apply for resettlement within the Goreses Reserve, in farms bought by government.
They also called for a review of the five-year term of office for traditional councillors, and also want it to be made obligatory that councillors reside in their area of jurisdiction.
The committee is also calling for national conference of the clan, to take place in October, which they say must address the finalisation of their customary laws, the creation of the /Gobanin People’s House, as well as work towards the implementation of the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

FRED GOEIEMAN