The Ovaherero Traditional Authority is embroiled in a leadership tussle playing out in the Windhoek High Court, with a lawyer for the claimant alleging a "coup d'état."

Advocate Raymond Heathcote, representing Chief Vipuira Kapuuo, told the court that Professor Mutjinde Katjiua is improperly claiming the title of Paramount Chief.

Two men are at the helm of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, both sworn in by their faction as the Paramount Chief, or Ombara Otjitambi.

Heathcote, representing Ombara Vipuira Kapuuo, in his capacity as the chairman of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, argued that the Traditional Authority, like any structured institution, has clear rules for succession.

He insisted that when a Paramount Chief dies, the deputy should automatically take over, as has been the case for many decades.

Advocate Heathcote also told the court that a meeting called by Katjiua in December 2021 was unlawful and that any decisions made there should be considered invalid.

Through his legal team, Kapuuo claims that only the Chairperson of the Chief's Council has the authority to convene such meetings, thus making the Onderombapa, Aminius gathering, which allegedly endorsed Katjiua's leadership, improperly constituted.

Kapuuo is seeking to have all decisions from that meeting nullified.

The death of Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro in mid-2021 created a leadership vacuum that quickly escalated into the current crisis.

Mutjinde Katjiua was chosen as Rukoro's successor by his supporters, while another faction elected Dr. Hoze Riruako.

This has led to the unprecedented situation where both Katjiua and Riruako have been coronated and claim the title of Paramount Chief, further deepening the divisions within the Ovaherero community.

Advocate Raymond Heathcote has called Jonathan Munjasa Katjimune as the first witness.

Katjimune was introduced as an "Ovaherero Cultural Guru," and he informed the court that he is also a cultural high priest among the Ovaherero.

He, from the witness stand, informed the court on the processes that have been culturally and traditionally followed in the event the seat of the Paramount Chief becomes vacant.

He said that since the start of time, should there be a vacancy, the chairman of the Chiefs Council assumes the role of Paramount Chief in an acting capacity.

The court presided over by Judge Lotta Ambunda was postponed to Wednesday.