Maria Amakali

Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni will be a part of the ongoing suit in the High Court to resolve issues surrounding the adjudication of the Ovaherero chieftaincy.

The court’s Thursday order is a result of (OTA) chairperson Vipuira Kapuuo’s request to have Uutoni and OTA added as respondents to the matter. According to Kapuuo, although he is not seeking any orders against the two, it is necessary they are part of the proceedings.

Kapuuo, who has since assumed the role of the acting paramount chief, is seeking an order declaring that in terms of Ovaherero customary law, tradition and protocol, the chairman of the chief’s council (Kapuuo) becomes the acting paramount chief of the Ovaherero traditional community upon the death or incapacitation of the paramount chief.

He seeks an order indicating he is the acting paramount chief. He further seeks the court to declare the chiefs’ council meeting, held on 10 to 12 December 2021 at Onderombapa, Aminius and any decisions taken at the said meeting, declared null and void.

It is at the said meeting where a decision was taken to elect and appoint Mutjinde Katjiua as paramount chief, succeeding late paramount chief advocate Vekuii Rukoro, who died on 18 June 2021.

Unlike in many traditional authorities, where succession occurs in the bloodline, the authority’s chiefs’ council elects the OTA paramount chief after extensive consultation with the community. The said meeting was expected to identify those willing to compete for the paramount chieftaincy.

He further wanted Kapuuo to be interdicted from interfering with OTA’s bank account and or diverting funds from the urban and rural development ministry meant for the traditional authority. However, the court declared he lacks the authority to represent the community. Judge Eileen Rakow has postponed the matter to 17 January 2023 for a status hearing.

- mamakali@nepc.com.na