In his opening statement during the court challenge in which Ovaherero chief Vipuira Kapuuo is seeking to nullify the claim of Mutjinde Katjiua as the Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero. Advocate Raymond Heathcote argued that Katjiua is attempting to assume this title through what he described as a "coup d'état."

Heathcote emphasized that the Ovaherero Traditional Authority functions like any other structured institution, stating that, according to its rules, the deputy should automatically succeed the Paramount Chief upon their death.

Heathcote represents Chief Vipuira Kapuuo, who serves as the secretary of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority.

 He also contended that a meeting convened by Katjiua in December 2021 was unlawful and requested the court to declare any decisions made during that meeting invalid.