DTA wants Govt to tell nation why it ignored court order for 5 years

THE DTA of Namibia yesterday took Government to task for refusing to implement a court order issued more than five years ago.

In December 2001, the High Court ordered the Ministry of Local Government to consider an application by Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako and some 39 Herero traditional leaders for recognition. Riruako and the other leaders sued the President and Minister after Government recognised only four Herero traditional leaders in terms of the 1995 Traditional Authorities Act.These were Tuvahi David Kambazembi, of the Kambazembi Royal House, Christiaan Eerike Zerua of the Zerua Royal House, and Kunene Region Chiefs Kapuka Thom and Paulus Tjavara.Riruako and his group charged that the decision to recognise only those four leaders was politically motivated, because the chiefs who got the nod of approval from Government were supporters of the ruling party.Yesterday, DTA President Katuutire Kaura charged at a press briefing in Windhoek that the decision to reject the application of the traditional leaders was prompted by ulterior, political motives.”It seems that to be recognised as a traditional leader, you must be a member of Swapo.They [Government] feel that they [Herero leaders] are not Swapo members,” Kaura said.When the High Court passed judgement in December 2001, it rejected the claim that the Government was prompted by ulterior, political motives not to recognise the dissatisfied traditional leaders.At that stage, it was clear that at least two chiefs – Chief Kambazembi and Chief Zerua – were not supporters of the ruling party when they were recognised, the High Court said.Riruako and the other leaders sued the President and Minister after Government recognised only four Herero traditional leaders in terms of the 1995 Traditional Authorities Act.These were Tuvahi David Kambazembi, of the Kambazembi Royal House, Christiaan Eerike Zerua of the Zerua Royal House, and Kunene Region Chiefs Kapuka Thom and Paulus Tjavara.Riruako and his group charged that the decision to recognise only those four leaders was politically motivated, because the chiefs who got the nod of approval from Government were supporters of the ruling party.Yesterday, DTA President Katuutire Kaura charged at a press briefing in Windhoek that the decision to reject the application of the traditional leaders was prompted by ulterior, political motives.”It seems that to be recognised as a traditional leader, you must be a member of Swapo.They [Government] feel that they [Herero leaders] are not Swapo members,” Kaura said.When the High Court passed judgement in December 2001, it rejected the claim that the Government was prompted by ulterior, political motives not to recognise the dissatisfied traditional leaders.At that stage, it was clear that at least two chiefs – Chief Kambazembi and Chief Zerua – were not supporters of the ruling party when they were recognised, the High Court said.