Communities can remove traditional leaders under Traditional Authorities Act
via The Namibian5 min read
The Traditional Authorities Act permits community members to remove chiefs or heads of traditional communities for sufficient reason and in accordance with customary law. This comes amid voting sessions by |Khomanin community members to remove their chief, Juliane Gawa-!Nas, and her council over allegations of selling land and misappropriating donations. This contrasts with a statement by minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa, who indicated that only royal families could remove traditional leaders. Mike Tshilongo, an advocate for the Uukwambi Legitimate Chieftaincy, questioned the minister's position, citing the ministry's previous removal of chief Sagarias Seibeb of the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority. Tshilongo emphasized that the law refers to "members of the traditional community" and not exclusively to royal families, warning against inconsistent interpretations that could undermine public trust. George Nelulu of Oukwanyama supported the community's right to remove a chief for valid reasons, while Shiimi Shangula, spokesperson for the Ongandjera Traditional Authority, stated that community members can only raise disputes to the royal family. Ondonga Traditional Authority secretary Frans Enkali noted that removal processes follow specific community practices. Independent observer Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro affirmed the community's right to express themselves regarding a chief's removal, especially if the leader was elected. The |Khomanin Traditional Authorit
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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