Gciriku chief nominee threatens Wakudumo with court action
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Felix Muraghuli Mashika (45), through his lawyers, wants Kavango East regional governor Bonifatius Wakudumo to sign his chieftainship application form before they turn to court for a recourse.
Mashika set his eye on the Gciriku traditional authority throne following the death of his grandfather, the late chief Kassian Shiyambi, in November 2019.
Having secured the signature of the chairperson of the Gciriku chief’s council, Chrysantius Likoro, the only issue is Section C of Mashika’s application form, which requires the signature of the regional governor before it is forwarded to the urban and rural development ministry for consideration.
Mashika said he has on two occasions - 28 December 2020 and 31 August – submitted the form to Wakudumo’s office to be completed, but this has not happened yet.
It is on that basis he turned to Samson Enkali Niinkoti from Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, who, on 17 September, wrote a letter of demand to Wakudumo.
“There appears a consensus that the late Hompa selected and appointed Mashika as his successor as chief of the VaGciriku traditional authority and community and the senior councillors and headmen were given notice of this appointment, and further they agree on the appointment,” the letter read.
Swift legal action
“We demand that the governor submits the application for consideration.
“Failure to comply with such demand will be followed up with swift legal action to compel the governor to sign this application and a punitive order of cost,” the letter read in part.
When contacted for comment, Wakudumo told Namibian Sun he has not refused to sign Mashika’s application form.
He said there are a number of groups within the VaGciriku royal houses who want to take over the chieftainship. He apparently advised them to reach a consensus and agree on who should be considered as the next chief of the tribe.
“I know there are various camps, the other people also came to me, but without the application form as they just came to narrate to me. I advised them that they are one family and they must agree on one person and come back to me,” Wakudumo explained.
Infighting
On the groups eyeing the throne, the VaGciriku have two royal houses - the Katiku, from which Mashika hails, and the Kandambo royal house.
Mashika said he is the only candidate from the Katiku royal house, while there are two candidates from the Kandambo royal house who want to take the throne.
Mashika is currently gazetted as the representative of the Gciriku traditional authority on the traditional chiefs council.
He argued that he has the right to the throne because the late chief appointed him as his successor.
RUNDU
Felix Muraghuli Mashika (45), through his lawyers, wants Kavango East regional governor Bonifatius Wakudumo to sign his chieftainship application form before they turn to court for a recourse.
Mashika set his eye on the Gciriku traditional authority throne following the death of his grandfather, the late chief Kassian Shiyambi, in November 2019.
Having secured the signature of the chairperson of the Gciriku chief’s council, Chrysantius Likoro, the only issue is Section C of Mashika’s application form, which requires the signature of the regional governor before it is forwarded to the urban and rural development ministry for consideration.
Mashika said he has on two occasions - 28 December 2020 and 31 August – submitted the form to Wakudumo’s office to be completed, but this has not happened yet.
It is on that basis he turned to Samson Enkali Niinkoti from Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, who, on 17 September, wrote a letter of demand to Wakudumo.
“There appears a consensus that the late Hompa selected and appointed Mashika as his successor as chief of the VaGciriku traditional authority and community and the senior councillors and headmen were given notice of this appointment, and further they agree on the appointment,” the letter read.
Swift legal action
“We demand that the governor submits the application for consideration.
“Failure to comply with such demand will be followed up with swift legal action to compel the governor to sign this application and a punitive order of cost,” the letter read in part.
When contacted for comment, Wakudumo told Namibian Sun he has not refused to sign Mashika’s application form.
He said there are a number of groups within the VaGciriku royal houses who want to take over the chieftainship. He apparently advised them to reach a consensus and agree on who should be considered as the next chief of the tribe.
“I know there are various camps, the other people also came to me, but without the application form as they just came to narrate to me. I advised them that they are one family and they must agree on one person and come back to me,” Wakudumo explained.
Infighting
On the groups eyeing the throne, the VaGciriku have two royal houses - the Katiku, from which Mashika hails, and the Kandambo royal house.
Mashika said he is the only candidate from the Katiku royal house, while there are two candidates from the Kandambo royal house who want to take the throne.
Mashika is currently gazetted as the representative of the Gciriku traditional authority on the traditional chiefs council.
He argued that he has the right to the throne because the late chief appointed him as his successor.
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