The Omukwaniilwa of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Fillemon Shuumbwa, visited Onalusheshete village in the Omageti area as part of his visits to communities under his jurisdiction.

The visit is aimed at strengthening relations between traditional leaders and communities while promoting cultural values and traditions. Headmen from neighbouring villages also attended the gathering.

Speaking during the visit, Shuumbwa said the purpose of the engagements is to listen to the challenges facing communities to find solutions.

He explained that headmen are the overseers of matters happening in their villages.

"What you are supposed to know is that the matters that you have been informed by your traditional leaders that you are not supposed to be overseeing are which ones? The ones that belong to the community courts. You must know which ones they are."

He says matters involving permanent disability should not be dealt with by the headmen. 

"For instance, a person lost his eye; that's a permanent disability. Take the matter to senior headmen, and he takes the matter to the office that is not for you to deal with. If a person is killed, where do you take such a matter? To the police; it is not for you."

Community members raised concerns such as illegal land occupation, stock theft, poor road infrastructure, limited mobile network coverage and access to potable water, saying boreholes are located far from households and the available water is too salty. 

They also expressed concern over gender-based violence.

Senior Headman of Onalusheshete Village, Eino Amutenya, notes, "We are the ones leading this people. We must inform them to stop with gender-based violence. We cannot wait for a person coming from outside to come and talk to them. It is our obligation that we swore upon. The people need to be told; peace should prevail in their households and, in turn, elsewhere."

Residents also complained that police officers sometimes fail to attend to reported incidents, instead instructing complainants to travel to the police station to open cases.

In response, Shuumbwa urged the community to remain patient, saying the traditional authority will follow the necessary procedures to ensure the water challenges are addressed. 

He also said some roads are expected to be tarred, while others will be upgraded to gravel standards.

The Omukwaniilwa further announced that the sub-traditional office to improve access to traditional services in the area will be opened.