By William J. Mbangula Oshakati Residents of Omatando No.2 community near Ongwediva are up in arms over the decision by Senior Headman Amon Shipanga of Onamutayi traditional district to impose a village headman on them. Last Saturday, February 17, Shipanga stormed out of a meeting with the residents after his proposal to appoint Simon Kaupa Mwatotele to also run Omatando village was flatly rejected by the villagers. Kaupa is currently the headman of Efidi Lomulunga village about 15 kilometres from Omatando. Shipanga quipped as he was leaving the meeting: “If you don’t want him (Kaupa) I don’t care. See what you can do.” The dispute over Omatando village leadership, which is between two brothers, started after the death of the former headman last year. Although a successor was nominated by the deceased before he died, it appears his older brother did not like the younger brother to be in charge of the village. As a result, he instigated Senior Headman Shipanga and others to intervene in the matter. Last Saturday Shipanga, assisted by 10 village headmen – Wilbard Abed Nghishitelwa (Elyambala), Simon Kaupa Mwatotele (Efidi lomulunga), Silas Ndakolonghoshi (Onheleiwa), Job Sheehama (Onawa), Mandume Ileka (Okatope), Johannes Mulongeni (Omatando No.1) Pius Hafeni (Ehafo), a certain Keembudu (Onangubu), Paulus Mutikisha (Eko lanaambo) and Onesmus Namulo (Okaandje) – came to impose such a decision on the community. Apparently, the decision was taken because they (headmen in cahoots with the older brother) did not like the person who was nominated by the deceased as per customary law of the community. One interesting aspect in the conflict is the fact that the older brother, a lecturer at Ongwediva College of Education, was the assistant to his father until 2001 when he resigned. Following his resignation, he was replaced in the same year by his younger brother. The older brother then removed his house from the village and relocated to Omuntele constituency in Oshikoto Region in 2003. But when his father died last year, he returned to reclaim the village leadership. This is apparently in conflict with his own statement made in a letter dated September 26, 2003 in which he stated: “You said I want to reclaim the village leadership. You are wrong. How many times did I say in public that I have no intention whatsoever to reclaim the village leadership. I have nothing to gain and nothing to lose. I abandoned the decision myself.” Next Saturday, February 24, the community will hand over a petition to the Governor of Oshana, Clemens Kashuupulwa, who is also the Councillor of Okatana constituency where Omatando No.2 is located. Kashuupulwa is scheduled to visit the village to familiarize himself with the situation on the ground.