Africa-Press – Namibia. A MAN claiming to be the designated senior headman of Oshikandjo village in the Uukwambi Traditional Authority is threatening to drag Uukwambi chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu to court for allegedly disregarding the wish and recommendation of his late uncle, who had nominated him as his successor.
In a letter from his lawyers Shikongo Law Chambers, Titus Kayambu claims that the late senior headman of the village, Herman Saba, nominated him as his successor at a meeting held at the village on 30 September 2015.
According to him, the resolution nominating him was forwarded to Iipumbu the next day and a copy was filed at the office of the secretary of the village.
“Subsequent to the meeting held on 30 September 2015, our client was appointed as the acting senior headman…in preparation for his succession as the senior headman, the position he occupied until his late uncle, the late Herman Saba, passed away,” the lawyers said in the letter dated 1 November 2021.
He further said in August 2020, after Saba’s death, a meeting was held whereby Maria Angungu, a representative from the legal committee of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, allegedly confirmed the succession of Kayambu, as the senior headman.
At the meeting, Angungu allegedly informed Kayambu that his inauguration would be held in three months. “We are advised that the inauguration never materialised.
During September 2021, Mr Aungenia Saba informed our client that the chief has advised that he will appoint another senior headman without providing reasons thereto.
“We are advised that the chief has appointed Mr William Kashupi as the acting senior headman, disregarding our client’s nomination and failing to provide him with reasons,” the lawyers indicated in the letter.
However, the Uukwambi Traditional Council said it is yet to decide on the position. Kayambu’s lawyers said if they do not receive a response within 10 days of receipt of the letter, they will take legal action.
When contacted for comment, Iipumbu said he needed to consult his traditional leaders as they are the ones who make final decisions before reporting to him.
He said he knows who Kayambu is and he recalls that he was brought to him by his late uncle as a way of introduction as his replacement in case of his demise.
“I can’t really respond right now, I need to consult with the leadership so that I can give you a clear response because decisions are all made at leadership level,” said Iipumbu.
Two other Uukwambi Traditional Authority leaders (omalenga) declined to comment on the matter when contacted. Contacted for comment, Saba’s son Herman Antonius said, “I have nothing to do with that issue, just carry on and write your story and we will see where it ends.”
The chairperson of the Uukwambi Traditional Council, Heinrich Nutushi, yesterday said the council is yet to decide on Kayambu’s appointment. “I didn’t know that Titus (Kayambu) has been removed as the appointed headman. What I know is that it’s his own family members who are rejecting him.
“We have not made a final decision. If he thought we are involved, he was supposed to come to us instead of running to the media,” said Nutushi, adding that Kayambu is free to engage the Uukwambi Traditional Authority after he gets what he is looking for from the media.
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