Almost three months after a directive from the Minister of Urban and Rural Development to sort out their chieftaincy dispute, the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority is still far from resolving the matter.
Minister James Sankwasa ordered the traditional authority to nominate and elect their chief, as the current chief, Zacharias Seibeb, was not nominated and appointed as per Dâure Daman customary law.
This directive followed a meeting on 4 June between Sankwasa and community members of the Dâure Daman.
Following the June 4 meeting, Sankwasa, in a letter addressed to the incumbent Chief, Zacharias Seibeb, informed the Dâure Daman traditional authority that Seibeb's nomination and appointment were not done in line with the customs of the group.
The minister made it clear that the chief's appointment was not subject to community approval and acceptance as required by the customary law and was therefore procedurally incomplete.
Following the minister's directive, Seibeb's followers, those of the Concerned Group and another group started doing their own thing, all saying they are following the Sankwasa directive.
The concerned group, supported by some gazetted traditional councillors, said the recent election by a third group wanting to fast-track the process was not done in accordance with Dâure Daman customary law.
The group supporting Seibeb has started with meetings presenting Seibeb to the community as per customary law. For them, Seibeb remains the chief. The Spokesperson of the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority, Marthin Matsuib, said communication is done through the gazetted chief, Zacharias Seibeb, to avoid more division among the clan.
Matsuib further maintains that the traditional authority is doing all in accordance with the minister's directives, and a report will be submitted to the minister in due course.
The Minister, as per the outcome of the 4 June meeting, directed the Daure Daman to address various issues of chieftainship in accordance with their customary law.
During a meeting with NBC management this week, the concerned group said the lack of access to the Kaisames radio service has hindered communication with the community, alleging the gazetted chief blocked them and monopolised the radio for his purposes.
Approached for comment, NBC Director-General Stanley Similo emphasised that the NBC cannot involve itself in the Dauredaman Traditional Authority dispute. He explained that the Minister of Urban and Rural Development has already directed the authority to resolve the matter through its own customary law procedures.
Similo noted that, like other traditional authorities across Namibia, the Dauredaman Authority is welcome to make use of the Kaisames FM platform once their internal differences have been resolved.
He further cautioned that permitting conflicting messages on NBC's airwaves could inadvertently draw the broadcaster into the dispute and expose it to legal challenges, a situation that NBC must avoid to maintain its neutrality and integrity.
Sankwasa also called on the Dauredaman Traditional Authority to ensure that the process of electing a new chief is done in full compliance with their customary law and to ensure transparency, legitimacy and community consensus.