THE violence that erupted at Onderombapa settlement in the Aminuis constituency on Friday was caused by a feeling among a section of the community that somebody was being imposed on them to rule them.
This is the view of a spokesperson for the community under the Kavari Traditional Authority at Aminuis in the Omaheke Region, Jariimue Riruako. Speaking to journalists in Windhoek on Wednesday, Riruako said that some people felt that Senior Traditional Councillor Ewald Kazongominja of the Maharero Traditional Authority was not their choice and was not from their traditional authority.The Kavari Traditional Authority, which has yet to be recognised, is headed by Immanuel Kavari, while the recognised Maharero Traditional Authority is headed by Alfons Maharero.Riruako said Kazongominja used to be with the Kavari Traditional Authority and they could not understand how he ended up being recognised as their leader when left them to join the Maharero Traditional Authority, while there were still a number of traditional leaders who have not been recognised after 16 years of Independence.He said it was common knowledge that the appointment of traditional leaders throughout Namibia was not always driven by the wishes and choices of the communities but by the wishes of those groups recognised by Government in terms of the Traditional Authority Act.In many of these situations, Riruako said, communities in traditional settlements would complain and petition to Government against such appointments.”The Onderombapa experience was a result of these impositions,” he said.He said their traditional authority understood that the appointment of traditional leaders was defined by the Traditional Authority Act, but “we equally have understanding for the discontent by traditional communities when they feel their rights to choose whom they want are suppressed”.Riruako called on Government to be sensitive to the feelings of local communities if the country’s commitment to national reconciliation was to last.The Kavari Traditional Authority also wants Government to fully investigate the death of 25-year-old Theboy Hiiho, who was shot dead during the clash between the Maharero and Kavari Traditional Authorities on Friday.People supporting the Kavari Traditional Authority were opposed to the inauguration of Kazongominja’s office at Onderombapa.They claimed they had not been consulted about the event and wanted it cancelled.But the Maharero Traditional Authority was adamant that the ceremony should go ahead and insisted that all the relevant people had been consulted.It was then that the Kavari group are alleged to have attacked Traditional Councillor Kazongominja and his followers.Shots were fired during the clash.Hiiho was hit and died on the spot.It is believed that Hiiho was a member of the Kavari group.Chief Inspector Pax Mwanawina of the Omaheke Police said yesterday that no one had yet been arrested in connection with Hiiho’s death.Hiiho will be buried at the Herero Heroes’ Cemetery at Okahandja on Saturday.Speaking to journalists in Windhoek on Wednesday, Riruako said that some people felt that Senior Traditional Councillor Ewald Kazongominja of the Maharero Traditional Authority was not their choice and was not from their traditional authority.The Kavari Traditional Authority, which has yet to be recognised, is headed by Immanuel Kavari, while the recognised Maharero Traditional Authority is headed by Alfons Maharero.Riruako said Kazongominja used to be with the Kavari Traditional Authority and they could not understand how he ended up being recognised as their leader when left them to join the Maharero Traditional Authority, while there were still a number of traditional leaders who have not been recognised after 16 years of Independence.He said it was common knowledge that the appointment of traditional leaders throughout Namibia was not always driven by the wishes and choices of the communities but by the wishes of those groups recognised by Government in terms of the Traditional Authority Act.In many of these situations, Riruako said, communities in traditional settlements would complain and petition to Government against such appointments.”The Onderombapa experience was a result of these impositions,” he said.He said their traditional authority understood that the appointment of traditional leaders was defined by the Traditional Authority Act, but “we equally have understanding for the discontent by traditional communities when they feel their rights to choose whom they want are suppressed”.Riruako called on Government to be sensitive to the feelings of local communities if the country’s commitment to national reconciliation was to last.The Kavari Traditional Authority also wants Government to fully investigate the death of 25-year-old Theboy Hiiho, who was shot dead during the clash between the Maharero and Kavari Traditional Authorities on Friday.People supporting the Kavari Traditional Authority were opposed to the inauguration of Kazongominja’s office at Onderombapa.They claimed they had not been consulted about the event and wanted it cancelled.But the Maharero Traditional Authority was adamant that the ceremony should go ahead and insisted that all the relevant people had been consulted.It was then that the Kavari group are alleged to have attacked Traditional Councillor Kazongominja and his followers.Shots were fired during the clash.Hiiho was hit and died on the spot.It is believed that Hiiho was a member of the Kavari group.Chief Inspector Pax Mwanawina of the Omaheke Police said yesterday that no one had yet been arrested in connection with Hiiho’s death.Hiiho will be buried at the Herero Heroes’ Cemetery at Okahandja on Saturday.
