SWAKOPMUND – The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is set to deregister chief Joshua Seibeb of the Tsoaxudaman Traditional Authority.
This follows Seibeb’s failure to implement a 2022 agreement concerning the appointment of senior and traditional councillors.
The Tsoaxudaman Traditional Authority dispute goes back to a long-standing leadership conflict prior to Seibeb’s official recognition as successor to the late Chief Bethuel Haraseb.
A member of the clan, Salathiel Karugab, believes he had the rightful claim to the chieftainship after Haraseb’s death. Karuguab opposed Seibeb’s application for chief, and the line ministry intervened just before Seibeb’s inauguration in 2022.
The intervention resulted in a compromise whereby Kharugab and his faction agreed that at least four members from them be appointed to serve as Seibeib’s councillors in the interest of the community.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, one of the authority’s members, Jonathan Neumbo, said after his inauguration, Seibeb reneged on the agreement, resulting in conflict among the community.
“The chief failed to implement the agreement and we sought assistance from former ministers as well as the new minister, who acted on our long-standing request and dispute,” he told New Era.
According to the letter seen by New Era, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa last month gave Seibeb 14 days to rectify and appoint the traditional councillors as per the 2022 agreement.
However, in a follow-up letter dating 4 July, Sankwasa indicated that Seibeb ignored a 14-day directive issued to implement the leadership appointments as agreed on in 2022.
Following continued non-compliance, the community petitioned for Seibeb’s removal. With confirmation from legal counsel, the minister has initiated the process to degazette Seibeb due to breach of the signed agreement.
“This letter serves as a formal reminder that the 14 days afforded for the implementation of the agreed-upon appointments has expired. Regrettably, no response or action has been received to date,” Sankwasa wrote.
Adding that the continued non-compliance has compelled the ministry to initiate the process to degazette him.
“This will be done according to section 8(1) of the Traditional Authorities Act,” Sankwasa said.
Contacted yesterday, Seibeb said he was in a meeting.
However, in a formal response dated 19 June 2025, Seibeb insisted his actions are in line with the law and the council’s customary procedures.
“Upon assuming office, I declared that all gazetted senior traditional councillors, traditional councillors and any member who wishes to serve on the structures of the Tsoaxudaman Traditional Community must apply for a certificate of conduct in terms of the Financial Intelligence Act,” Seibeb wrote.
He added: “To date, 18 members, including myself, have submitted police certificates proving they have not been in violation of the law.”
According to him, this requirement ensures trustworthiness and full compliance with the community’s customary law.
He also noted that the process of identifying and appointing councillors is ongoing and must be handled carefully.
“The council reaffirmed the chief’s stance during a meeting held on 18 June 2025, during which members endorsed the vetting process and announced a community-wide meeting, which was held on 28 June,” he said in his response to the minister.
Seibeb also stated that his leadership is grounded in tradition, as he was blessed by Haraseb in 2017, introduced to the clan in 2018 and officially designated on 30 March 2021.
“My duty is to lead with integrity and ensure those who serve do so lawfully. I will attend to them in a very short time, together with my leaders,” a defiant Seibeb said.