Dismissed Ondonga councillors reject political interference

OLUNO, 16 SEP – The group of dismissed Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) councillors on Saturday shunned political interference in the matter relating to their dismissal by the head of the OTA, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas.
One of the dismissed councillors John Walenga, whilst addressing members of the leadership of the OTA’s Ondangwa District at his house in the Oluno suburb on Saturday, said the councillors will issue a letter to President Hage Geingob, in which they will shun political interference in the matter.
Walenga, Peter Kauluma, Joseph Asino, Vilho Kamanya, Kashona kaMalulu, Fillemon Nambili and Tonata Ngulu were dismissed in July last year on charges of misconduct.
The group has denied the charges and challenged the authenticity of their dismissals, claiming their marching orders were not authorised by Elifas.
They have, in the meantime, approached the High Court to order the ailing Elifas to be brought to court to confirm that he indeed dismissed them.
Following the dismissals, the OTA appointed Erastus Mvula, Paavo Amwele, Naeman Kampala, Nepando Amupanda and Rainhold Nepolo as councillors to replace them.
Founding President Sam Nujoma, as well as Geingob, recently publicly criticised the dismissed councillors for their attempt to have Elifas testify in court.
Nujoma visited Elifas’ Onamungundo royal house near Olukonda in the Oshikoto Region and criticised those trying to take him to court, while Geingob had separate meetings with the two disputing parties at the State House, where he suggested that the issue be resolved in a traditional manner.
Walenga said their letter to Geingob will be an appeal for him to ensure that no political influence is allowed in the matter.
“Similar letters are also to be issued to the secretary-general of Swapo and Oshikoto and Oshana regional governors (Clemens Kashuupulwa and Henock Kankoshi),” he stated, indicating that they will continue with their High Court case until justice is served.
The group of dismissed councillors earlier this year opened a second OTA office at Punyu Hotel at Onethindi near Ondangwa, where they also administer payments of traditional levies.
Walenga told those present their office will be relocated from the hotel to the business premises belonging to the mayor of Oniipa, Mennetjies Kambonde, after the owner of the hotel allegedly received telephonic threats from anonymous individuals for accommodating them.
Speaking at the same meeting, Kambonde confirmed that the office will operate from his premises, also situated at Onethindi, as from Monday. – NAMPA