Members of the Landless |Khomanin Association have initiated a formal process to remove Gaos Juliane Gawa-!Nas and the entire traditional council, citing a vote of no confidence.

The no-confidence vote is scheduled for 16th May.

The law provides that, where sufficient reason exists, the chief or head of a traditional community may be removed by community members, ensuring the process is justified, lawful, and procedurally valid.

The |Khomani Traditional Authority, representing a Damara sub-group in the |Khomas Region, has been focused on securing ancestral land rights, addressing youth unemployment, and managing the recently acquired Korasieplaats farm. 

However, tensions have escalated amid allegations of illegal land sales linked to the leadership.

Community members backing the motion accuse the Gaos of acting against the interests of the community.

"The time of talking to the chief is long gone. We are just here to notify her. Come, ready yourself, and bring your people, your supporters, on the 16th of May. Let's meet at our stop so that we can vote," said social activist Shaun Gariseb.

Some have questioned their future should the land be sold, saying many are left behind in Windhoek while others return to farms and rural areas.

Council Member Jorro Eiseb said that when the government donated the Korasieplaats farm, measuring approximately 8,000 hectares, about 4,000 hectares consisted of a lodge and former game farm with no owner, while more than 3,700 hectares were divided among 36 |Khomanin families.

He added that he is prepared to share the full list of beneficiaries once the Gaos returns from a workshop in Otjiwarongo.

"This was not necessary, |Khomanin against |Khomanin, we don't even have an office to run the authority. We have this makeshift building that people can come and lay their complaints here. That's how bad the situation is with the government, but because we care about our people," he said. 

Eiseb further explained that "we started this initiative so we can fight for our land for all of us. I've been here since the inception of these land disputes, even to the state house with late President Geingob and former President Mbumba, until the latest Korasiplaats farm that the government has given us, which has now steered this war."

The outcome of the 16th May vote is expected to determine the future leadership and direction of the community.