Advocate Raymond Heathcote resumed questioning Jonathan Munjasa Katjimune this morning. Katjimune was called to testify as an Ovaherero cultural guru and high priest.

He informed the court that Chief Vipuira Kapuuo has previously acted as the Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero people.

 Katjimune explained that, as Chairperson of the Chiefs’ Council, Kapuuo would traditionally assume the role of acting chief whenever the position became vacant.

This authority would enable Kapuuo to convene a formal Chiefs’ Council meeting to initiate the process of appointing a new Paramount Chief.

Chief Kapuuo has taken legal action against Professor Mutjinde Katjiua, who called a Chiefs’ Council meeting that led to Katjiua's appointment as Paramount Chief. 

Katjiua was inaugurated into this position in March 2022 by a faction within the Ovaherero community.

Advocate Heathcote referred to Katjiua’s rise to the chieftaincy as a “coup d'état.”