Trouble brews over Witbooi coronation
The dust is refusing to settle in the /Khowese clan despite the coronation of a new gaob.
The Witbooi Royal House in Gibeon has rejected the coronation of the newly installed ninth kaptein, Gaob Hendrik Ismael Witbooi, saying he is government sanctioned.
They also insist their customs and traditions were disrespected.
Speaking on behalf of the royal house, Reverend Penias Topnaar said they do not accept the coronation and will ask the High Court to review it.
Topnaar also issued a statement in which he said the elders of the Witbooi Royal House and the descendants of the legendary Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi have not ceded their powers to identify, nominate and designate a kaptein of the /Khowese traditional community.
“It is regrettable that for the first time in the history of the /Khowese people an installation of a kaptein would be dictated by a government in an independent republic, which did not happen during the colonial regime,” he said.
Witbooi's coronation took place this past weekend after a High Court bid to halt the process was dismissed by Judge Thomas Masuku on Friday morning. The urgent application was brought by the new kaptein's cousin and former Namibian high commissioner to Zambia, Salomon Josephat Witbooi, his mother Anna Jacobs, Elizabeth Kock, Christina Fredericks and Topnaar.
JEMIMA BEUKES
They also insist their customs and traditions were disrespected.
Speaking on behalf of the royal house, Reverend Penias Topnaar said they do not accept the coronation and will ask the High Court to review it.
Topnaar also issued a statement in which he said the elders of the Witbooi Royal House and the descendants of the legendary Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi have not ceded their powers to identify, nominate and designate a kaptein of the /Khowese traditional community.
“It is regrettable that for the first time in the history of the /Khowese people an installation of a kaptein would be dictated by a government in an independent republic, which did not happen during the colonial regime,” he said.
Witbooi's coronation took place this past weekend after a High Court bid to halt the process was dismissed by Judge Thomas Masuku on Friday morning. The urgent application was brought by the new kaptein's cousin and former Namibian high commissioner to Zambia, Salomon Josephat Witbooi, his mother Anna Jacobs, Elizabeth Kock, Christina Fredericks and Topnaar.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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