A long-standing leadership battle within the Ovaherero Traditional Authority has taken center stage at the Windhoek High Court, as Advocate Raymond Heathcote, representing Ombara Otjitambi Vipuira Kapuuo, called cultural expert Jonathan Munjasa Katjimune to the witness stand on Monday.
Katjimune, introduced as an “Ovaherero Cultural Guru” and high priest, testified about traditional procedures followed when the position of Paramount Chief becomes vacant. He stated that it has always been customary for the Chairperson of the Chiefs Council to act as Paramount Chief until a formal appointment is made.
The leadership dispute was sparked by the death of former Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro in mid-2021. Following his passing, two rival factions emerged one supporting Professor Mutjinde Katjiua, and another backing Dr. Hoze Riruako. Both men have since been ceremonially installed as Paramount Chief, leading to unprecedented division within the Ovaherero community.
Advocate Heathcote argued that Professor Katjiua’s claim to leadership is illegitimate and equated the move to a “coup d’état.” He challenged the legality of a December 2021 meeting in Onderombapa, Aminius, where Katjiua’s leadership was allegedly endorsed. Heathcote claimed only the Chairperson of the Chiefs Council has the legal right to call such meetings, rendering any decisions taken there invalid.
Chief Kapuuo is now asking the court to nullify all resolutions passed at that gathering, asserting that the Ovaherero Traditional Authority operates under clear, long-standing rules of succession. According to Heathcote, these rules dictate that the deputy or Chairperson assumes leadership automatically upon the death of a Paramount Chief.
The case, presided over by Judge Lotta Ambunda, has been postponed to Wednesday for further proceedings.
