The Chief of Ombadja Matias Kaunashoto Walaula has dismissed allegations of tribalism levelled against him and his traditional leadership involved in the prosecution of tribal cases.
The Ombadja Traditional Authority is accused of favouring the Ovambadja-speaking people over other people of the Oshiwambo dialects spoken in Ombadja. Ombadja has a vast community of Oshindonga, Kwambi, Ovakwanyama and other dialects from Angola.
According to the chief, all the various dialects of the Oshiwambo language are represented in the Ombadja Traditional Authority leadership, the same people who hear the cases and deliver judgments.
Similarly the chief said that which is stipulated in the constitution does not guide individual views, but the traditional courts.
“There is no tribalism here. We treat all our people equally. How can we be triabalistic if we have all the dialects represented? It is not true and if you want to have the correct facts you are welcome to browse our files,” charged the chief.
Walaula was responding to community members who accused his leadership of being biased, tribalistic and unfair in their verdicts and general handling of individuals of different dialects of Oshiwambo residing in Ombadja.
Sources accuse the Ombadja Traditional Authority of only giving tribal leadership to the Ovambadja speaking community.
The chief, who was seconded by Hitenimedu Shekudya-Kemanya a senior headman, concurred that the chief under his leadership has not created any new villages or appointed any headman.
Instead, Walaula said he has only formed districts.
Sources also accused the Ombadja Traditional Authority of re-opening cases already concluded – however the chief says there is nothing wrong with revisiting a closed case if there are claims the judgment was unfair.
“Cases are relooked all the time. There is no problem with that. The latter is that justice is served,” said Walaula.
According to the chief, those echoing sentiments of tribalism are instigators who want to destroy the Ombadja traditional leadership.
Similarly, he related that it is a test to get revenge on the traditional authority from one of the senior headmen – who was dismissed from the authority over alleged livestock theft.
The case has been referred to the High Court.
“We know the person who is feeding you the information – he has been running from one office to the next, but the truth is the law does not discriminate. Whether you are senior headman or just an ordinary one, if you are found wanting on the wrong side of the law you have to be prosecuted and leaders should be exemplary,” said the chief.
Sources called upon the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to look into the operations of the Ombadja Traditional Authority to ensure that justice is served and also to ensure people are served equally regardless of their ethnicity or tribal affiliation.