Erastus Uutoni

2024-05-142026-10-29

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Erastus Uutoni

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

August 2026
3 AugThe Namibian
Erastus Uutoni said neighbouring town councils are not necessarily a problem
Source
“Ongwediva founding mayor Erastus Uutoni, who served from 1998 to 2010, says neighbouring town councils are not necessarily a problem, arguing that smaller local authorities can often respond more quickly to residents' needs.”
Oshakati Ongwediva merger is inevitable, says former governor
July 2026
30 JulThe Namibian
Ongwediva founding mayor Erastus Uutoni says he sees no immediate need for a merger
Source
“Ongwediva founding mayor Erastus Uutoni says he sees no immediate need for a merger, arguing that neighbouring town councils can effectively serve residents.”
Oshakadiva?
June 2026
26 JunNew Era
Former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni challenged in the High Court the council's decision to reinstate Kamseb
Source
“The decision was subsequently challenged in the High Court by former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni.”
Kunene RC salaries unpaid
April 2026
29 AprThe Namibian
Erastus Uutoni advised them to see a lawyer to resolve the dispute
Source
“The former minister Erastus Uutoni advised them to see a lawyer to resolve the dispute.”
Vaalgras community frustrated over eight-year delay in appointing traditional authority chief
20 AprNew Era
Erastus Uutoni challenged in court Kamseb's appointment as chief regional officer
Source
“This decision was challenged in the High Court by the then minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni.”
Sankwasa blocks govt funds to Kunene
February 2026
3 FebThe Namibian
Erastus Uutoni approved an application for the designation of Felix Mashika as traditional leader in September 2023
Source
“Uutoni approved an application for the designation of Mashika as traditional leader in September 2023.”
Judge sets aside appointment of Gciriku traditional leader
2 FebNew Era
Former Minister Erastus Uutoni approved designation of Felix Mashika as Hompa
Source
“On Friday, Schimming-Chase set aside the 12 September 2023 decision of former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni to approve the designation of Maraghuli Felix Mashika as Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority.”
Judge overturns anointed Gciriku chief … gives minister 90 days to reconsider
January 2025
22 JanThe Namibian
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni called out towns like Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Grootfontein for their lack of parks
Source
“Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni on Wednesday called out towns like Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Grootfontein for their lack of parks for residents to enjoy.”
Uutoni criticises lack of parks at Ondangwa, Ongwediva, Grootfontein
22 JanThe Namibian
Uutoni questioned the municipalities on their parks
Source
“"Ondangwa, where's your park? Ongwediva, where is your park? Grootfontein, where's your park," Uutoni questioned the municipalities.”
Uutoni criticises lack of parks at Ondangwa, Ongwediva, Grootfontein
May 2024
14 MayThe Namibian
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni is urging local authorities to reconsider reliance on external debt collectors
Source
“Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni is urging local authorities to reconsider their reliance on external debt collectors for recovering funds from defaulting clients.”
Red Force pushes town councils to see red

Politics

Masubia chieftaincy dispute returns to High Court October 1

The News

Princess Sehwe Maiba's side is challenging the process that led to Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa's designation as Chief Munitenge Moraliswani III, seeking to set aside the urban and rural development minister's April 2025 approval and the subsequent recognition under Proclamation No. 29 of 2025. The dispute stems from the succession process following Chief Kisco Maiba Liswani III's death in July 2021, with Sehwe and the Masubia Royal Council contending the process bypassed traditional succession order and royal institutions.

25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 25 September

Masubia chieftaincy dispute returns to High Court October 1
Princess Sehwe Maiba's side is challenging the process that led to Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa's designation as Chief Munitenge Moraliswani III, seeking to set aside the urban and rural development minister's April 2025 approval and the subsequent recognition under Proclamation No. 29 of 2025. The dispute stems from the succession process following Chief Kisco Maiba Liswani III's death in July 2021, with Sehwe and the Masubia Royal Council contending the process bypassed traditional succession order and royal institutions.
25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 3 August

Merger of Oshakati and Ongwediva described as inevitable
Former Oshana governor Elia Irimari has said merging Oshakati and Ongwediva into one municipality is necessary as the two towns have grown into one continuous urban area. Activist Tangy Tshilongo is formally submitting a proposal for the merger to both town councils and Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge, arguing that a unified municipality would improve service delivery, strengthen economic development, and better coordinate infrastructure.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 30 July

Activist proposes merging Ongwediva and Oshakati town councils
An activist has proposed dissolving Ongwediva Town Council and incorporating it into Oshakati Town Council to improve service delivery and reduce administrative duplication in northern Namibia. The proposal argues that Oshakati has become the Oshana region's main commercial, administrative and economic hub, making separate local authorities unnecessary.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 26 June

Kunene Regional Council salaries unpaid due to minister suspension
Kunene Regional Council employees did not receive salaries as government funds remain withheld by the urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who suspended disbursement in May citing concerns over the presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. The suspension has also halted several development projects in the region.
26 June 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 9 June

Deregistered Tsoaxudaman chief sues minister over removal
Joshua Seibeb, deregistered Chief of the Tsoaxudaman clan, has challenged his removal by Minister James Sankwasa in court, arguing it was unlawful. Seibeb was removed in September 2025 after failing to implement a 2022 agreement on the appointment of senior and traditional councillors, stemming from a long-standing leadership dispute within the clan.
9 June 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 29 April

Vaalgras community frustrated over eight-year chief appointment delay
Community members in Vaalgras, ||Kharas region, express frustration over an eight-year delay in appointing a new Traditional Authority chief following Joel Stephanus's death. Community member Fritz Stephanus alleges that traditional authority councillors are deliberately causing delays and artificial disputes, potentially motivated by their own ambitions to become chief.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

Minister blocks funds to Kunene Regional Council over chief officer dispute
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has halted government funds to the Kunene Regional Council, demanding removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb, whose appointment is being challenged in court. The council's chairperson Western Muharukua describes the fund freeze as unlawful pressure and says it threatens to disrupt salaries, services, and capital projects; the council plans to seek judicial review.
20 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 3 February

High Court sets aside Gciriku traditional leader appointment
A High Court judge has set aside the former minister of urban and rural development's appointment of Felix Mashika as chief of the Gciriku Traditional Authority in Kavango East, ruling that the minister failed to properly determine the community's customary law of succession. The court ordered the current minister to reconsider the designation within 90 days, ensuring a proper determination of the applicable customary law is made.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

Judge orders minister to reconsider Gciriku chieftaincy decision
The Windhoek High Court has set aside the 2023 ministerial decision to designate Maraghuli Felix Mashika as Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority, ordering the minister to reconsider the matter within 90 days based on a proper determination of Gciriku customary law. The court found that the original decision lacked proper reference to customary law and was made on assumptions.
2 February 2026 · New Era →