A ruling in an appeal case by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation over the non-referring of Aletha Nguvauva as Ombara Otjitambi has been suspended to allow the appointment of an impartial media appeals committee panel.

The suspension follows after the nbc raised concerns of bias when it was pointed out that the committee's chairperson is part of the Media Ombudsman structure.

Earlier this year, the Media Appeals Committee found that the nbc's decision not to refer to Aletha Nguvauva as Ombara Otjitambi on all its platforms was in breach of the code of ethics and conduct for the Namibian media as well as the right to self-identify of the Ovambanderu Community. 

The nbc appealed the ruling on the grounds of vagueness and that the committee's decision was based on hearsay. 
In a turn of events, the hearing was cut short following nbc's representative, Advocate Unanisa Hengari's, request for the Chairperson to recuse himself.

In his submission, Advocate Hengari argued that it is inappropriate for Kennedy Kariseb to sit during the proceedings due to his collegial relationship with the Media Ombudsman. 

However, Lawyer Anne-Doris Hans-Kaumbi, representing the Ovambanderu Traditional Council, objected, stating that the reasons given do not constitute the basis for recusal.
 
She suggested a substantive application by the nbc to give the respondent a chance to respond and a decision to be made in that regard.

Kariseb stated that it defeats the purpose of the hearing if parties do not have confidence in the panel, hence the stay of proceedings.