Africa-Press – Namibia. Tension between the Daure Daman Traditional Authority and a group of disgruntled community members took a violent turn on Tuesday afternoon at Uis when at least seven people were arrested after clashing with the Namibian Police, who were enforcing a court order.
Among those arrested is an activist from Uis, who allegedly threw a petrol bomb into the house of Daure Daman Chief Sagarias Seibeb.
The group, which has been attempting to remove the chief from his position for the past three years, allegedly stormed the premises of the traditional authority in defiance of a High Court order issued in December last year which prohibits them from doing so.
The disgruntled group has been at loggerheads with their chief since around 2022, accusing him of mismanaging the affairs of the traditional authority. They claim Seibeb has sidelined key elders in decision-making processes, and failed to provide transparency regarding community funds.
They charged that his leadership has caused further division, instead of promoting unity within the Daure Daman community. As a result, the group has been actively pushing for his removal and the appointment of a new leader they believe will serve the community’s interests more fairly.
Erongo police spokesperson, senior inspector Judith Shomongula said the group unlawfully entered the yard of the traditional authority office just after 13h00. In the process, they obstructed police officers who were executing their duties.
She stated that seven people were arrested during the incident. They include elderly women aged 71 and 64, as well as five men aged between 25 and 60. They are facing charges which include obstructing police officers, obstructing the administration of justice under the Riotous Assemblies Act, and contravening a court order.
Petrol bomb attack
In response to the arrest of the elders, Areseb and three others allegedly retaliated by carrying out a petrol bomb attack on Chief Seibeb’s residence, situated just a few metres from the traditional office at the Tanigub block in Uis. The attack occurred between 13h00 and 14h00 on the same day.
The suspects allegedly filled Savanna bottles with petrol and cloth to make the bombs.
Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona told New Era that the suspects allegedly threw the petrol bombs into the yard.
“Luckily, only a mat caught fire, but it was extinguished before any damage could be caused to the property,” he said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Omaruru Magistrate’s Court today.
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