Gciriku chieftaincy battle nears end

Kenya Kambowe







RUNDU

A three-horse race to the VaGciriku throne has taken an interesting turn after Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo, who has submitted an application for Bartholomeus Aruvitha Kayoka to become the new chief, said his office will not channel another application to the line ministry for consideration.

The VaGciriku community has been without a chief since the death of Kassian Shiyambi in November 2019, and the process to succeed him has left the royal house divided.

In a recent interview with Namibian Sun, Wakudumo said his office did its homework and that Kayoka’s application was done in accordance with the Gciriku customary law and the Traditional Authorities Act.

The application was submitted by traditional councillor of the Gciriku traditional authority Festus Shikerete, with the backing of the royal family, which the governor said speaks to the tribe’s customary laws.

“I submitted the application to the ministry on 1 December 2021 and the minister did not respond yet. With regards to other applications as far as the Gciriku traditional authority is concerned, my office will not forward such applications. “The royal family has decided on their candidate and that’s it,” Wakudumo said.

Bloodied noses

His decision has left the two other men vying for the throne - Felix Maraghuli Mashika and former Namibian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Simon Maruta - with bloodied noses, with their hopes to rule the community becoming a mere pipe dream.

However, the dust has yet to settle as the line ministry will now scrutinise Kayoka’s application and make a determination.

Meanwhile, Wakudumo used the opportunity to shed light on the events that took place since Siyambi’s death.

He said during a 30 July 2020 meeting, he engaged senior and junior Gciriku traditional authority councillors and the tribe’s chief council to find out what the hold-up was with regards to appointing a new chief.

Wakudumo said at this meeting, the customary law was explained to all those in attendance and how a new chief’s application should be completed.

According to him, that meeting went well, but months later, Mashika submitted an application that did not meet the customary requirements.

Mashika’s claim to the throne is based on a letter he regards as the late chief’s will, giving him his blessing to take over.

Wakudumo, however, disputed the letter, adding that the VaGciriku customary law is clear on the succession of a chief.

End this

The issues continued when those from the VakaNkora royal house also submitted an application for Maruta to become chief.

Wakudumo said he cannot attend to Maruta’s application because the VakaNkora are not part of the royal family.

The governor said Kayoka’s mother, Ruhepo Makanga, on 5 October 2021 travelled to Rundu and requested that the governor convene a meeting with all the royal family members to bring an end to the matter. This meeting took place 13 November 2021.

Wakudumo described the gathering as “heated”, but it was finally resolved that Kayoka is the right candidate to take over.

He said Shikerete - together with the royal family - then completed Kayoka’s application form and it was submitted to his office, which he relayed to the line ministry.

On 13 December 2021, Shikerete informed the VaGciriku community that the process had been completed and that Kayoka is their new chief, awaiting the designation by the line ministry.

Kayoka was handed the traditional stick, known as the ‘mpango’, which symbolises authority.

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