THE Oukwanyama Traditional Authority in the Ohangwena Region under the leadership of Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristiaan Nelumbu yesterday dismissed two of its suspended headmen with immediate effect.
The two are the Ohaingu Traditional District senior traditional councillor, Sipora Dan and the Okelemba Traditional District senior headman Hangula Vatilifa. The authority also suspended headman of Ongha village, George Hikumwa who was representing the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority on the Communal Land Board.Hikumwa will no longer represent the interest of the authority on the land board, while his position as the Ongha headman also hangs in the balance.Headman of Ohongo village Samwel Matheus Shilongo, who has been acting as senior headman of Ohaingu Traditional District when Dan was on suspension will continue acting in the position, but will be assisted by Barakias Haimbodi. It was also decided that headman of Onandova village, Elias Waandja, who was acting as senior headman in the Okelemba Traditional District in the place of Hangula Vatilifa, will continue acting as senior headman in that traditional district until such time a senior headman is appointed for the district. Both Dan, Vatilifa and Hikumwa were suspended after accusations that they held meetings during the marula time during which they allegedly plotted to oust the chairman of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, senior headman George Nelulu apparently because of alleged mismanagement of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority funds, as well as his purported autocratic rule. Earlier this year the queen suspended Dan, Vatilifa, Hikumwa as well as Nelulu to investigate the allegations.This investigation committee has recommended that senior headman Nelulu be reinstated in his old position as chairman of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority with immediate effect and remain senior headman of the Eudaneko Traditional District.The Namibian has learnt that a group of some senior and village headmen are planning a demonstration today against the decision to remove the concerned traditional leaders.
