Hambukushu chieftaincy battles rages on
The committee established by the Hambukushu tribe, which wants Chief Erwin Munika Mbambo to relinquish power, says they have not given up as they are still waiting on a response from the line ministry on the way forward.
The chairperson of the pressure group, Casius Mukenah, told Namibian Sun they cannot proceed with any action as they are waiting for a response from the urban and rural development ministry on the matter.
Mukenah said because the ministry advised them to follow the proper channels, they cannot proceed with an intended legal route just yet.
“We are still waiting for the letter from the ministry. We cannot stop; if we see that the response is not in our favour, then we can still approach the High Court,” Mukenah said.
He said the committee is “100% certain” that if the matter goes to court, they will win.
Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga said the matter is still being worked on by his ministry, adding they also have to hear Mbambo's side of the story. Mushelenga urged the parties to be patient, as the ministry will respond.
“They will hear from us, they should just wait,” Mushelenga said.
On 7 November 2018 the committee conducted a referendum in the Hambukushu district on Mbambo's chieftaincy.
It claims that out of the 2 931 people who participated, 2 705 votes were cast against Mbambo.
The committee has accused the chief of blocking much-needed development within the traditional authority's area of jurisdiction.
About a month later, Mbambo's supporters organised a meeting to show their support for the chief, and said the referendum was illegal and should be declared null and void.
Some of Mbambo's supporters alleged that certain highly-influential top government officials are behind the committee that wants to oust the chief.
This is the second attempt by the pressure group to relieve Chief Mbambo of his duties, following a 2017 Christmas Eve letter they wrote in which they made a host of allegations.
Surprisingly the group on 17 January 2018 made a U-turn on its demand that he relinquish his chieftaincy and apologised unconditionally.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The chairperson of the pressure group, Casius Mukenah, told Namibian Sun they cannot proceed with any action as they are waiting for a response from the urban and rural development ministry on the matter.
Mukenah said because the ministry advised them to follow the proper channels, they cannot proceed with an intended legal route just yet.
“We are still waiting for the letter from the ministry. We cannot stop; if we see that the response is not in our favour, then we can still approach the High Court,” Mukenah said.
He said the committee is “100% certain” that if the matter goes to court, they will win.
Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga said the matter is still being worked on by his ministry, adding they also have to hear Mbambo's side of the story. Mushelenga urged the parties to be patient, as the ministry will respond.
“They will hear from us, they should just wait,” Mushelenga said.
On 7 November 2018 the committee conducted a referendum in the Hambukushu district on Mbambo's chieftaincy.
It claims that out of the 2 931 people who participated, 2 705 votes were cast against Mbambo.
The committee has accused the chief of blocking much-needed development within the traditional authority's area of jurisdiction.
About a month later, Mbambo's supporters organised a meeting to show their support for the chief, and said the referendum was illegal and should be declared null and void.
Some of Mbambo's supporters alleged that certain highly-influential top government officials are behind the committee that wants to oust the chief.
This is the second attempt by the pressure group to relieve Chief Mbambo of his duties, following a 2017 Christmas Eve letter they wrote in which they made a host of allegations.
Surprisingly the group on 17 January 2018 made a U-turn on its demand that he relinquish his chieftaincy and apologised unconditionally.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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