Kudumo chieftaincy illegal

Kudumo chieftaincy illegalHigh Court rules against Uukwangali chief Despite a High Court ruling setting aside his appointment, Eugene Siwombe Kudumo is continuing to act as the chief of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority. The High Court towards the end of last year set aside the official endorsement of Eugene Siwombe Kudumo as the chief of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority.

Kudumo was installed as chief of the Uukwangali tribe in 2015 following the death of Hompa Sitentu Daniel Mpasi.

His coronation was attended by senior government officials, including urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa, who delivered a speech on behalf of President Hage Geingob.

The late chief died in December 2014 and had publicly announced Kudumo as heir to the Uukwangali throne.

However, there have been objections by a pressure group within the traditional authority who claimed Kudumo was not procedurally chosen.

This matter ended up in court, with 13 members of the traditional authority, led by Rudolf Ngongo, challenging Kudumo's chieftaincy. They argued that there were irregularities, and that customary procedures were not followed in designating Kudumo as chief.

On 19 October last year, Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula ruled against the endorsement of Kudumo and ordered him, the minister of urban and rural development as well the Uukwangali Traditional Authority to pay the costs of the application.

“According to our customs, the chief's succession has to be done by all elders who are respected in their communities within the Uukwangali jurisdiction. This is done during the elders' meeting, during which three or four potential candidates are nominated for chief designation,” said a source privy to the affairs of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority.

“This meeting is then followed by the royal houses of Uukwangali and the traditional council who then elect a chief from the nominated candidates. In the case of Kudumo, this was not done and that is why we cannot accept him as a legitimate chief.”

The source claimed that Kudumo was defying the court ruling by carrying out duties as chief and driving around in the government car assigned to him.

Attempts to reach Kudumo for the last few days proved futile as his phone was unreachable.

The chairperson of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority, Christian Ndeya Simuteka, refused to comment on the court ruling. “I have nothing to say, call the ministry of urban and rural development,” Simuteka said.

According to lawyer Norman Tjombe, who represented the applicants, the court order was rightfully communicated to Kudumo and the Uukwangali Traditional Authority.

“The court set aside his designation and appointment as chief. Therefore, he may no longer perform any functions and duties as a chief. He must vacate the office immediately,” Tjombe said.





“Kudumo was informed by the government attorney and us (acting on behalf of several other senior community members). In the light of the fact that he continues to violate the law, we will have no option but to proceed with an urgent application to interdict him from acting as the chief and have him evicted from the chief's office.”



'Not aware'

When contacted for comment, Shaningwa said she was not aware of the court order and refused to comment on the affairs of Uukwangali Traditional Authority.

“I am not aware of any court order against chief Kudumo. I cannot comment further because I am not a leader of conflict,” Shaningwa said.

Like Shaningwa, Kavango West governor Sirrka Ausiku also said that she was unaware of the court order. “It was never communicated to me. If it is true, it was supposed to be communicated to my office, but it was not done,” she said.





ILENI NANDJATO