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Tribal Conflict Unresolved

New Era (Windhoek)
NEWS
October 14, 2004
Posted to the web October 14, 2004

By Leonard Amadhila
Windhoek
REGIONAL and Local Government and Housing has distanced itself from the tribal
conflict involving the Kwanyama and the Ndonga tribal authorities.
The conflict between the two tribal authorities erupted last weekend when the
Ondonga Traditional Authority was stopped from installing a senior headman at
Ekoka in the Ohangwena Region.
Spokesperson at the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing,
Frans Nghitila, said his ministry was not responsible for running the affairs
of the tribal authorities, but was merely there to recognise the traditional
authorities.
The ministry was not responsible for their activities nor was it tasked with
the installation of headmen, he said.
"We do not interfere in traditional authority issues. We only play a role to
recognise the traditional authorities. We do not even have to know how they run
their affairs, because they are independent institutions that only receive
allowances from our ministry," he noted.
Meanwhile, the Ondonga Traditional Authority would seek official sanction and
would follow "normal procedure and practice" to ensure the installation of the
senior headman designated for Ekoka village, Tiileinge Wapulile.
The installation ceremony of Wapulile as a senior headman at Ekoka Village was
reportedly derailed by a group of Oshikwanyama-speaking people on Saturday who
prevented the Ondonga from installing Wapulile as a senior headman at Ekoka.
The alleged perpetrators apparently claimed Ekoka falls under the jurisdiction
of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority. The group informed the Ondonga
delegation that they received a call from the Ministry of Lands, Resettlement
and Rehabilitation and from Oukwanyama's tribal leader King Mwetupunga
Sheelungu to stop the crowning.
A senior headman from the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Boas Mwendeleli, told
New Era yesterday that the office of King Eliphas Kauluma had drafted a letter
to the Ministry of Regional and Local and Government and Housing, Joël
Kaapanda, to request the official representative to be delegated to the
installation ceremony to be announced in due course.
He said on Saturday there was no Government representative at the derailed
event.
Mwendeleli described the issue as being controversial and disturbing, saying
the people are confused and do not know the area's history and its traditions.
According to Mwendeleli, Pohamba met with King Kauluma on Sunday afternoon.
Pohamba dismissed claims that he (Pohamba) had instructed the Oukwanyama
Traditional Authority to stop the installation of the senior headman.
However, the minister's office could not comment on the matter, because the
minister was not available.

   

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