By Staff Reporter
MAMONO, August 16 – The Vagciriku Royal Family, in strong support of Prince Bathlomeus Aruvita Kayoka, held a press conference yesterday, Tuesday, to firmly reject Minister Erastus Uutoni’s declaration regarding the identification of the rightful successor to the vacant Chief position of the Vagciriku Traditional Authority. The family characterized the minister’s statement as applying delaying tactics, displaying bias, engaging in discriminatory conduct, and fundamentally misrepresenting the Vagciriku Culture.
The press release by the Royal Family commenced with an account of how Prince Aruvita Kayoka emerged as the legitimate successor of the late Hompa Kassian Shiyambi. It highlighted that Prince Aruvita was initially chosen as Chief of the VaGciriku back in 1999 after the passing of the late Hompa Sebastian Kamwanga, who ruled from 1985 to January 1999. However, adhering to the customary law of the VaGciriku, which dictates that an uncle has the primary right of refusal over the claim of a Nephew during succession, “Hompa Aruvita withdrew in favor of his uncle, the late NkuruHompa Kassian Shiyambi. Being disciplined and respectful, as always, he acceded to the wishes of the Gciriku elders, including his own mother, to defer the throne to his uncle, the late Hompa Shiyambi, with the understanding that he would have his opportunity in the future,” read the opening statement.
The Royal Family further expressed their lack of surprise at the minister’s biased announcement, alleging that he had consistently employed delaying tactics from the outset, including not signing Prince Aruvita Kayoka’s application after it received procedural endorsement from the Royal Family and the Kavango East Governor, signaling his intended succession as Chief of the VaGciriku Traditional Authority.
Moreover, the Royal Family disputed the minister’s claim that Felix Muraghuli Mashika is supported by the majority of the VaGciriku people and that he had been nominated by the late Chief Shiyambi. The Royal Family invited the Namibian nation at large and the Gciriku community in particular to remain calm and peaceful, asserting that the minister’s decision would be reviewed by a competent court and ultimately set aside.
The statement was delivered on behalf of the Royal Family by Reverend Ludwig Hausiku Kamboroto, a senior member of the family. The event was attended by Royal Family elders, various headmen and headwomen of the VaGciriku Traditional Authority. Minister Uutoni’s phone rang unanswered when contacted for comment – Namibia Daily News.
