Windhoek
The dispute between the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) and the Maharero Royal House (MRH) over the ownership of a piece of land at Okahandja escalated on Saturday when OTA officials decided to dismantle a corrugated iron shack at the site.
The land in question at Erf 175, measuring 28,78 square metres, is part of the area where the burials of many Ovaherero leaders, including the late Chief Kuaima Riruako, were conducted.
This led to the intervention of Urban and Rural Development Minister Sophia Shaningwa, who had a meeting with both groups on Saturday in Okahandja.
Contacted for clarity on the dispute, Okahandja Mayor Congo Hindjou refused to comment, saying the piece of land in question was acquired many years before he became mayor.
“I cannot comment on that piece of land. Speak to Shaningwa, OTA or MRH. They had a meeting regarding that issue on Saturday,” the famous former footballer said.
Shaningwa was not at liberty to share anything about the meeting with New Era yesterday. “Yes we had a meeting, but I cannot tell you what we discussed,” she said before hanging up.
Contacted for comment yesterday, OTA spokesperson Bob Kandetu said the reason they took the decision to demolish those structures was to make way for development.
“When we bought this land in 2010 we bought it with the instruction that we will build a structure worth N$1. 2 million within a specified timeframe,” Kandetu said. After all, he said, they also want to end the ongoing disputes within the traditional authority.
Speaking of behalf of the MRH, Maharero descendant Phanuel Kaapama said the MRH objected to the sale of the land in 2010. “This has been the gathering point of the Ovaherero since I can remember, so selling this piece of land to a traditional authority will not work in favour of the community,” he remarked.
“Firstly, this land was not advertised for objection Secondly, this should have been offered to the people who have structures at the site,” Kaapama added.
Last year a separate annual Okahandja Red Flag Day commemoration event planned by the OTA and led by Paramount Chief Vekuii Vekuii was stopped following an order by the Windhoek High Court directing the leaders of the rival group not to go ahead with the planned commemoration activities until they sort out the existing differences between themselves and the Maharero Royal House and its supporters.
As per the court order issued by High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele, no activity related to the annual Red Flag Day commemoration was allowed to take place at Okahandja that weekend.