Investigators recommend Okahao pastor's removal

OSHAKATIPLACIDO HILUKILWA A committee formed a few months ago to investigate leadership squabbles in a Lutheran parish in the Omusati Region has uncovered a financial mess and irregular parish council meetings. The committee has also vindicated the head of Elcin's Western Diocese, Bishop Josephat Shanghala's decision to remove Reverend Hulda Shau-Haitana from the Okahao parish. The committee submitted its report recently, recommending the removal of Shau-Haitana from Okahao as a way of restoring unity in the highly factionalised congregation. Shau-Haitana was transferred to the Okambebe parish in the Ohangwena Region effective from January 2013, but a powerful faction opposed the decision, describing it as blatant victimisation of their female cleric. The squabbles caused an irreconcilable split among the parishioners, with one faction supporting the transfer while another faction opposed it. Those opposed to Shau-Haitana's transfer marched to Elcin's Oniipa headquarters where they handed over a petition to presiding Bishop V.V. Nambala, demanding the cancellation of the transfer. They also demanded Shanghala's immediate suspension for alleged irregularities and a dictatorial leadership style. During its investigations the committee found that the Okahao squabbles were part of a simmering tension between Elcin's Eastern and Western dioceses, where the two bishops - Nambala and Shanghala - are said to have a cold relationship. The committee also found that the Okahao parish was in a mess, with no proper financial controls and where parish council meetings are allegedly attended - and possibly manipulated - by powerful individuals who are non-members. Among them is said to be Oshana's Chief Regional Officer Johannes Kandombo and Hiskia Nujoma, a younger brother of Founding President Sam Nujoma. The committee found that many mistakes were made at various levels of leadership, including by Bishop Shanghala himself. It recommended a public reconciliation meeting between Shanghala and the Okahao parish as well as a meeting between the two bishops, with retired bishops Kleopas Dumeni and Apollos Kaulinge acting as facilitators. The committee expressed the opinion that the Okahao parish will never be able to unite fully as long as Reverend Shau-Haitana remains in charge. "It is therefore preferable that she be transferred." The executive secretary of the Western Diocese, Reverend Paulus Heita, declined to comment on the report and referred all enquiries to Elcin's secretary-general, Reverend Alpo Enkono, whose cellphone was not reachable.