A faction of the Ohaverero Traditional Authority (OTA), which oversaw the coronation of Dr. Hoze Riruako as Ombara Otjitambi of the divided OTA, has applied to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development to consider recognizing him as the Paramount Chief of the OTA.

Minister Erastus Uutoni now sits with two applications before him, which he must consider as the official authority.

The position of Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero became vacant following the sudden death of Ombara Otjitambi Vekuii Rukoro in June 2021.

A faction in 2022 installed Professor Mutjnde Katjiua at a colorful and crowded ceremony as Ombara Otjitambi of the OTA; his installation was at farm Omuserakuumba.

12 months after the Katjiua coronation, another faction of the OTA met at Otjimbingwe to coronate Riruako under the same title, officially putting two claimants to the title of Ombara Otjitambi.

The division among the factions has seen commemorations of traditional Ovaherero events celebrated twice.

Last year, both factions organized and commemorated Red Flag Day separately, including the annual genocide walk now commemorated on two different occasions.