Shifeta enters Epupa fray

Political differences between Epupa community members and their traditional leadership, under the Kapika Royal House, are reportedly negatively affecting the affairs of conservancies in the area. Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta last week visited the area to help solve the problem. The ministry's spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, said the minister talked to the community and traditional leaders over their differences. “The minister was at Epupa in an attempt to address the conflict between the community members and traditional authority. “He urged them to resolve their differences because it is negatively affecting the administration of conservancies as well as the benefits to the people,” Muyunda said. According to sources privy to the affairs of the two groupings, the Epupa community is reportedly snubbing Chief Hikuminue Kapika and his traditional councillors when it comes to development issues. Muyunda said Shifeta talked to the two parties about conservancy laws and how they should be administered. Kapika has in recent years defected to Swapo from the PDM, which enjoys great support in the area. Epupa is also one of the areas that generate a lot of money through conservancies. While addressing Otjivalunda community members in the Iipumbu yaTshilongo Conservancy at Engombe in Oshana Region recently, Shifeta had announced his visit to Epupa to tackle issues affecting the operations of conservancies. “Now that Chief Kapika is no more a PDM member the community does not consult him anymore. Traditional authorities must be represented in the conservancy committees. At Epupa the community does not call the traditional authority anymore,” Shifeta said. In 2014 about 500 community members marched against Kapika and called for his removal. The chief's alleged conduct toward community members was frowned upon, as well as his decision to support the construction of the Baynes hydropower project. Before 2014 Kapika had vehemently opposed any development linked to the power project. ILENI NANDJATO

Shifeta enters Epupa fray

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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Shifeta enters Epupa fray

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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