Police accused of meddling in Ondonga leadership dispute

ONGWEDIVA, Sept. 15 – Kennedy Iilonga, one of the faction members within the Ondonga community associated with six traditional councilors dismissed a few months ago by the Ondonga King on charges of misconduct, has asked Commissioner Rauha Amwele to refrain from meddling in the Ondonga Traditional Authority dispute because it is out of her working parameters.

Iilongo noted that it is not of importance for the new elected faction to use the Commander in the Oshana Region, Commissioner Amwele to come in between the on-going dispute, as she does not render her service equally to all the factions.

Last week a peaceful demonstration to the Ondonga Palace was planned for Friday, but got halted after police informed them that King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas was not ready to meet with them nor ready to see them.
The demonstration was planned to see the king, said Iilonga, but he was called by Commissioner Amwele to the station to inform him that that they were not allowed to march to the palace in order to see the king.
“Amwele and some of her senior officials told me that our planned demonstration is forbidden because the king is not ready to talk to us ,” said Iilonga.
Iilongo said he does not believe that those were the kings words, but that this was the doing of the newly appointed traditional leaders who who are not yet recognized by the government.

The leaders include acting secretary of the OTA, Nepando Amupanda and Commissioner Amwele’s husband Pavo Amwele, who is the mayor of Ondangwa.
The faction were also unsuccessfully when they attempted to have the bank account of the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) frozen at First National Bank in Ondangwa until the dispute is resolved.

Iilonga stated that they never had any police official meddling with the Ondonga dispute in the past, and urged Amwele to desist from such actions.

“It is our first coming across a Commissioner stopping people to demonstrate, because police officers are only requested to be escorts in the road to avoid accidents,” said Iilongo.
They also demand for the acting secretary of the OTA, Nepando Amupanda to vacate the office, as he is said to be hindering development in Ondonga. “All he wants to do is to destroy what people have worked for, but he does not scare me, despite trying to be seen as a threat to many,” concluded Iilongo.
Approached for comments, Commissioner Rauha Amwele said that she is not bias in the going dispute, but only acting on behalf of information provided to police, that the King said he does not want to see them.
“The King requested not to be seen. You can’t force yourself to see someone who does not want to see you and meet with you, what is the reason behind you wanting to see someone who is not ready to see you?” said Amwele. – Maria Abraham