WALVIS BAY – Dauredaman youth have washed their dirty linen in the open, accusing their leader of sowing division, mismanagement and lack of accountability. 

It appears Chief Sagarias Seibeb has been toppled from his position as the leader of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority. His purported removal follows a vote of no confidence from his community, who accused him of mismanagement, favouritism and causing disunity among the Dauredaman.

During a community meeting held over the weekend in Uis, the Dauredaman community unanimously decided to remove Seibeb, and replace him with Issaskar Tourob, a former teacher.

Dauredaman youth activist Jimmy Areseb, who spoke on behalf of the community, confirmed the development to New Era earlier this week.

“Yes, the community decided to remove our chief. Although he was not present at the meeting, we followed all the requirements after consulting with the line ministry and the traditional authorities’ chairperson, Chief Immanuel /Gaseb,” he stated.He said the last time they held a meeting with their chief as a community was in 2019.

He added that formal letters regarding the latest development are expected to be sent to all parties involved, including Erongo governor Neville Andre, urban minister Erastus Utoni as well as /Gaseb.

Areseb said the decision to remove Seibeb stems from the disunity within the traditional community, mismanagement of funds and a lack of accountability to the community. 

The matter was also reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission last year. The controversial chief was earlier also accused of being enticed with hamburgers, plastic chairs and N$10 000 to dish out a consent letter for mining in their area. 

Seibeb was initially appointed as the chief of the Daure Daman after the death of long-serving chief Elias Thaniseb in 2017. 

A petition handed over earlier this year to Seibeb by disgruntled community members accused him of turning a blind eye to the community he is supposed to serve, and operating in isolation. In the same petition, the community also requested that the ministry helps to investigate the number of bank accounts and fishing quotas active in the name of their traditional authority. 

They called for an investigation into all the funds paid by investors in the name of the authority, and how these funds were used, including all bank statements and financial records.

They added that they were forced to take these drastic measures, as Seibeb has caused division among the community, and kept them uninformed about developments in their area, including mining activities, the green hydrogen project and rock explorations.

“Our chief permits investors to start operating without following relevant procedures. We just see people coming into our areas without our knowledge, and they start digging the land they claim they bought from the chief,” they said.

New era

Tourob, who has been chosen as the acting chief, will be tasked with setting up the women’s league and other traditional structures. 

He said it is a humongous task and responsibility given to him.

“I have not yet received the letter, but I was informed about their decision. I also have no problem taking up the responsibility. I am only hoping we can bring unity among our people,” he said.

Noted

When contacted, Seibeb told New Era that he took note of the questions sent to him.

Chief /Gaseb said the group spearheading the removal of Seibeb had consulted with him earlier. 

However, he noted that it is not easy to remove a chief.

“You cannot form a group and remove the chief. There are certain things stipulated in the act before we remove chiefs. 

They must have a criminal transgression,” he explained, adding that how chiefs are appointed, as well as customary laws, also plays a role in their removal.

“Rumours that he has stolen money are very humiliating and embarrassing. 

None of the things they are saying hold water. If he had stolen money from the community, they must go to the Anti-Corruption Commission. These young people, instead of helping their chief, are running to the streets to slander their chiefs,” he said.

-edeklerk@nepc.com.na