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.

The newly elected Ombara Otjitambi Dr. Hoze Riruako of chief Kapuuo's faction says the Ovaherero people will overcome the ongoing challenges.

Hoze Riruako was elected a few months after another faction of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority installed Professor Mutjinde Katjiua as Ombara Otjitambi.

The OTA now has two men with the same title.

Hoze Riruako's election and subsequent appointment as Ombara Otjitambi was held at Otjimbingwe.

A dispute over the leadership of the Ovaherero people is far from over.

A faction under Senior Councillor Vipuira Kapuuo convened a Chiefs Council meeting at Ozombuzovindimba and nominated three candidates for the position of Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero.

The three candidates include PDM leader McHenry Venaani, Mike Kamboto Rațoveni Kavekotora who is the leader of RDP, and academic Dr Hoze Riruako.