WINDHOEK – Supporters of the Ovambanderu chieftaincy claimant Aletha Nguvauva have denounced High Court Judge Collins Parker’s recent judgment in favour of recognising Kilus Nguvauva as chief of the tribe.
Judge Parker earlier this month ordered the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development Charles Namoloh to approve the application of Kilus Nguvauva as the rightful chief of the Ovambanderu by not later than October 14.
In a media statement last week, senior councillor Erastus Kahuure said after scrutinising and deliberating on the judgment, it emerged clearer to them that the court omitted that the late Keharanjo II Nguvauva was the rightful successor to his late father Munjuku II Nguvauva as the chief of the Ovambanderu Community
Kilus, the Deputy Minister of Works and Transport is the late chief Munjuku’s second eldest son.
Aletha’s supporters held a special meeting in Gobabis over the weekend to discuss the High Court judgment handed in favour of Kilus’ recognition as chief.
“The meeting rejected the judgment of Parker because of its biasness, and its attempt to resuscitate life into an issue such as an election that was rejected by both parties to the dispute and on that basis to provide credibility to one of the so-called contestants,” he said. Kahuure says he believes if that judgment is implemented it will lead to the violation of Ovambanderu customary law.
“It was pointed out the Ovambanderu customary law as confirmed by the investigating committee, established in terms of the statute during July 2008, still stands and was not extinguished by calling of an election, since an election is also supposed to be called in the absence of the existence of customary law,” he said.
He further reaffirmed confidence in the leadership of Paramount Chief Aletha Nguvauva who succeeded the late Keharanjo II Nguvauva.
Kahuure said he would not stop consultations with Minister Namoloh to recognise Aletha as chief – as per application submitted in May 2011. Kahuure further says he has received death threats from people he believes are senior government officials, who according to him are under investigation by the police.
“The community is of the strong opinion that the perpetrators who include senior government officials will be brought to book in the shortest possible time,” he said.
Last week Monday, the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the judgement by Parker. However on Tuesday the ministry made a U-turn and withdrew the appeal.
Meanwhile, the Chief’s Council of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority under the leadership of Kilus Nguvauva has set November 21 as the date for the inauguration of Kilus Nguvauva as the next Ovambanderu chief.
The inauguration will take place in Epukiro, Omaheke Region at the Ovambanderu headquarters well known as Omimbondevitano in the Epukiro capital Omaue-jozonjanda.