Ondonga peace talks collapse
There appears to be no end in sight to the drawn-out leadership battle within the Ondonga Traditional Authority.
Long-serving top aides of Ondonga King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, who were expelled in July last year after a fallout over the royal succession issue, at the weekend claimed they were back in office.
The seven senior and ordinary councillors addressed a large number of community members at Oluno on Saturday.
They also used the meeting to announce that they will be operating from Oniipa to run the affairs of the traditional authority, with the ministry of justice to assist by paying the rent.
The group does not recognise a rival faction, believed to be close to some members of the royal family, which was installed in July last year.
Namibian Sun recently reported that peace talks were under way within the traditional authority to bring an end to the long-running dispute, which has been described as highly embarrassing.
The axed councillors at the weekend said they had lost faith in the ongoing peace talks and decided to resume their responsibilities.
Addressing over 1 000 community members, one of the dismissed councillors, former Oshikoto regional governor Vilho Kamanya, said the people of Ondonga had been denied quality services since their expulsion.
“The Ondonga community has been not getting traditional services from OTA since March last year. Traditional court was put on hold, we have people that need to be reunited in villages, and we have people who need land.
“The community is crying. We cannot continue like this. Members of the king's council have been discussing the way forward. We decided that OTA services have to resume as soon as possible,” Kamanya said.
Village headmen were also informed to resume duties at their respective villages.
“We have a new office where we will operate from. Our officials at the old office will join us. We are expecting community members to come forth and get assisted.
We are thankful to the ministry of justice for their assistance in the rental payment while we will be operating from these new premises. While allegedly fired, some of us were trained by the justice ministry on administration of traditional courts,” Kamanya said.
Current OTA secretary Nepando Amupanda remained defiant, saying he was appointed by the king and only Elifas could fire him.
He also saw no problem with the former leaders resuming duties, saying they were duly mandated by the urban and rural development ministry and gazetted as traditional leaders.
“Were they recalled by the king? The king has not informed me of anything like that and I am hearing it for the first time from you. I was installed by the king and I have to obey him.
“I will not give them the files in the office unless I get instructions from the king. They can take the employees that are there... not a problem for me, all I will do is to report to the king on what is happening,” said Nepando.
Nepando added he would only surrender his position once the king had died.
“Maybe they were instructed by the ministry as they are still under the ministry. Unfortunately I am also not a fake traditional leader. I was appointed by the king, therefore they must wait until the king dies, then they can reclaim their positions. We will give their offices and positions back,” Nepando said.
Justice ministry spokesperson Penna Master said was unaware of such arrangement with the dismissed Ondonga councillors.
The dismissed councillors include senior leaders such as OTA chairperson Peter Kauluma and secretary Joseph Asino. Heavyweights such as senior headman for Ondangwa John Walenga and Kamanya were also expelled.
Three other councillors – Kashona KaMalulu, Tonata Ngulu and Fillemon Nambili – were also shown the door.
The infighting within the traditional authority is largely linked to the succession battle of the Ondonga kingdom. The dismissed councillors are backing Shuumbwa Nangolo, who was nominated by the Ondonga king as his heir apparent in September 2012.
ILENI NANDJATO
The seven senior and ordinary councillors addressed a large number of community members at Oluno on Saturday.
They also used the meeting to announce that they will be operating from Oniipa to run the affairs of the traditional authority, with the ministry of justice to assist by paying the rent.
The group does not recognise a rival faction, believed to be close to some members of the royal family, which was installed in July last year.
Namibian Sun recently reported that peace talks were under way within the traditional authority to bring an end to the long-running dispute, which has been described as highly embarrassing.
The axed councillors at the weekend said they had lost faith in the ongoing peace talks and decided to resume their responsibilities.
Addressing over 1 000 community members, one of the dismissed councillors, former Oshikoto regional governor Vilho Kamanya, said the people of Ondonga had been denied quality services since their expulsion.
“The Ondonga community has been not getting traditional services from OTA since March last year. Traditional court was put on hold, we have people that need to be reunited in villages, and we have people who need land.
“The community is crying. We cannot continue like this. Members of the king's council have been discussing the way forward. We decided that OTA services have to resume as soon as possible,” Kamanya said.
Village headmen were also informed to resume duties at their respective villages.
“We have a new office where we will operate from. Our officials at the old office will join us. We are expecting community members to come forth and get assisted.
We are thankful to the ministry of justice for their assistance in the rental payment while we will be operating from these new premises. While allegedly fired, some of us were trained by the justice ministry on administration of traditional courts,” Kamanya said.
Current OTA secretary Nepando Amupanda remained defiant, saying he was appointed by the king and only Elifas could fire him.
He also saw no problem with the former leaders resuming duties, saying they were duly mandated by the urban and rural development ministry and gazetted as traditional leaders.
“Were they recalled by the king? The king has not informed me of anything like that and I am hearing it for the first time from you. I was installed by the king and I have to obey him.
“I will not give them the files in the office unless I get instructions from the king. They can take the employees that are there... not a problem for me, all I will do is to report to the king on what is happening,” said Nepando.
Nepando added he would only surrender his position once the king had died.
“Maybe they were instructed by the ministry as they are still under the ministry. Unfortunately I am also not a fake traditional leader. I was appointed by the king, therefore they must wait until the king dies, then they can reclaim their positions. We will give their offices and positions back,” Nepando said.
Justice ministry spokesperson Penna Master said was unaware of such arrangement with the dismissed Ondonga councillors.
The dismissed councillors include senior leaders such as OTA chairperson Peter Kauluma and secretary Joseph Asino. Heavyweights such as senior headman for Ondangwa John Walenga and Kamanya were also expelled.
Three other councillors – Kashona KaMalulu, Tonata Ngulu and Fillemon Nambili – were also shown the door.
The infighting within the traditional authority is largely linked to the succession battle of the Ondonga kingdom. The dismissed councillors are backing Shuumbwa Nangolo, who was nominated by the Ondonga king as his heir apparent in September 2012.
ILENI NANDJATO
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