•  December 2000February 2001 Local News Headlines

Thursday, March 1, 2001 - Web posted at 7:37:26 AM GMT

Hereros to march as legal challenge starts
CHRISTOF MALETSKY

HUNDREDS of Hereros will march to the High Court this morning to demand official recognition for their traditional leaders.

Around 50 Herero traditional leaders are launching a legal challenge to Government's decision to recognise only certain Herero leaders through the Traditional Authorities Act.

Joseph Kauandenge, Secretary to the Paramount Chief of the Hereros, estimated that around 900 Hereros would march and ride on horseback from the Commando Hall in Katutura to the High Court where the case is set to be heard."

"The mood at the Commando is clear... the people are angry.

I don't know what the consequences of the outcome [against us] will be but many people have come with buses from as far as the former Kaokoland," he said.

The Herero traditional leaders took Government to court after the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing allegedly failed to explain the reasons behind their exclusion from the Government Gazette of March 1998 which recognised certain leaders.

They charge that the majority of the Herero leaders have not been recognised by Government for political and tribal reasons.

They also accuse Government of attempting to divide their tribal community.

Only chiefs who have shown loyalty to Government have been recognised, the Herero leaders claim.

Four Herero chiefs - Tuvahi Kambazembi, Christiaan Zeraua, Paulus Tjavara and Kapuka Thom - as well as 22 senior traditional councillors and 27 traditional councillors have been recognised.

Minister of Local Government, Nickey Iyambo, has previously said that Government has not set a final limit on the number of recognised traditional leaders.

Those left out could still re-apply for recognitionIt was said that Herero Paramount Chief and DTA parliamentarian Kuaima Riruako was not recognised as a chief because he submitted his application late.

Iyambo said Riruako's application was received on March 30, a day before the Gazette was issued.

His Ministry has faced a barrage of criticism from the Herero and Damara communities who have queried Government's recognition process.

Dissent has also been voiced by the Kxoe community in West Caprivi.

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