Tribal clash sparks thefts and threats

A DEADLY tribal clash at Onderombapa settlement in the Aminuis constituency on Friday has been followed by a spate of stock thefts, as well as threats.

Two traditional leaders and a politican said yesterday that they had lost livestock following the clash. Traditional Councillor Rehabeam Katjijova of the Maharero Royal Traditional Authority says 64 of his sheep were stolen on Monday evening.Katjijova told The Namibian yesterday that thieves arrived at night at his kraal at Groot Achab, about 12 kilometres from Aminuis.Katjijova was in Windhoek at the time and his family informed him of the theft yesterday morning.He believes there is a link between the stock theft and threats made against him on Sunday afternoon when he was transporting the children of Senior Councillor Ewald Kazongominja from Onderombapa to Aminuis.They were at Onderombapa to attend Friday’s disrupted ceremony to inaugurate their father’s new office, which turned violent.Theboy Hiiho (25) was shot dead.Katjijova said when he stopped at a filling station at Aminuis, a man calling himself Ben Kauzembua Tjorongo told him: “Mr Katjijova, we are going to kill you and bury you six feet under the ground.”Katjijova, who is the former Mayor of Gobabis, told The Namibian that he had reported the death threat to the Police.Veteran politician Mburumba Kerina lost 19 goats on Sunday evening.He said the goats were stolen from his kraal at Okomumbonde in the Aminuis constituency.Kerina said he believed it was done by people opposed to the ceremony.”They were threatening that blood will flow.”On Saturday evening, five goats were allegedly stolen from the kraal of Senior Councillor Kazongominja, also in the Aminuis area.Police Chief Inspector Pax Mwanawisa in the Omaheke Region said a Police team had been sent to investigate Kerina and Katjijova’s allegations.Violence erupted at Onderombapa after people attacked Traditional Councillor Kazongominja of the Maharero Royal Traditional Authority and his followers.The other group, believed to support unrecognised Chief Emmanuel Kavari of the Kavari Traditional Authority, were opposed to the ceremony.The Maharero group refused to call off the event and violence erupted when Kavari’s supporters arrived at the scene in cars, armed with firearms, sticks and stones.Traditional Councillor Rehabeam Katjijova of the Maharero Royal Traditional Authority says 64 of his sheep were stolen on Monday evening.Katjijova told The Namibian yesterday that thieves arrived at night at his kraal at Groot Achab, about 12 kilometres from Aminuis.Katjijova was in Windhoek at the time and his family informed him of the theft yesterday morning.He believes there is a link between the stock theft and threats made against him on Sunday afternoon when he was transporting the children of Senior Councillor Ewald Kazongominja from Onderombapa to Aminuis.They were at Onderombapa to attend Friday’s disrupted ceremony to inaugurate their father’s new office, which turned violent. Theboy Hiiho (25) was shot dead.Katjijova said when he stopped at a filling station at Aminuis, a man calling himself Ben Kauzembua Tjorongo told him: “Mr Katjijova, we are going to kill you and bury you six feet under the ground.”Katjijova, who is the former Mayor of Gobabis, told The Namibian that he had reported the death threat to the Police.Veteran politician Mburumba Kerina lost 19 goats on Sunday evening.He said the goats were stolen from his kraal at Okomumbonde in the Aminuis constituency.Kerina said he believed it was done by people opposed to the ceremony.”They were threatening that blood will flow.”On Saturday evening, five goats were allegedly stolen from the kraal of Senior Councillor Kazongominja, also in the Aminuis area.Police Chief Inspector Pax Mwanawisa in the Omaheke Region said a Police team had been sent to investigate Kerina and Katjijova’s allegations.Violence erupted at Onderombapa after people attacked Traditional Councillor Kazongominja of the Maharero Royal Traditional Authority and his followers.The other group, believed to support unrecognised Chief Emmanuel Kavari of the Kavari Traditional Authority, were opposed to the ceremony.The Maharero group refused to call off the event and violence erupted when Kavari’s supporters arrived at the scene in cars, armed with firearms, sticks and stones.