Justicia Shipena The legal cost linked to the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) paramount chieftaincy has reached an estimated N$10 million. …
Ovaherero chieftaincy battle costs reach N$10mNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Organization
Ovaherero Traditional Authority
Ovaherero Traditional Authority — traditional governance body for the Herero population, currently disputed between rival leadership factions regarding the paramount chieftaincy.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- May 2026
- March 2026
… Ovaherero Traditional Authority traditional leader Uapimbi Ngareja says the Ovaherero culture does not permit cremation as it is against the culture. …
Windhoek faces cemetery shortage as city urges residents to consider cremationThe Presidency says any interpretation suggesting that Hoze Riruako was recognised as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority during his visit to State House is incorrect. …
Riruako visit not recognition as paramount chief – Presidency… Riruako, who was accompanied by members of his delegation from the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, paid a courtesy call on the President at State House. …
President meets Ovaherero chief to discuss land and genocide reparationsThe Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by academic Hoze Riruako yesterday met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House. …
Ovaherero double down on ancestral land, genocideOvaherero Traditional Authority chief Hoze Riruako has urged the government to allocate land to disenfranchised Namibians instead of waiting for genocide reparation negotiations to conclude. …
Chief Riruako demands land for Ovaherero without waiting for genocide reparations- January 2026
“We cannot be confined to our villages.” This is how Omatjete area chief Manasse Zeraeua of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority in the Erongo region responded when asked why some traditional leaders like himself are serving their rural communities from urban areas. …
Namibia’s traditional leaders serve villages from Windhoek despite legal residency requirements- October 2025
… At the centre of the case is Ovaherero Traditional Authority ombara, professor Mutjinde Katjiua, Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi and others. …
Justice and the Law Collidein Genocide Case- January 2025
… The association, along with the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, continues to oppose the way the German and Namibian governments are handling negotiations. …
Nama Traditional Association rejects agreement on 1904-1908 genocide reparations- July 2024
… This has heightened concerns among farmers like Kumatuu Uandara, who is also a member of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority in Aminuis.“In Aminuis, we have more than five to six traditional authorities and many are opposed to in-situ leach mining.” Riaan van Rooyen Francois van …
‘We are scared but we want jobs’
Society
Ovaherero chieftaincy dispute legal costs reach N$10 million
The News
Legal costs in the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority paramount chieftaincy have reached an estimated N$10 million. Chief Vipuira Kapuuo continues his court challenge against professor Mutjinde Katjiua's claim to the position, arguing that as chairperson of the Chief's Council he is the rightful acting paramount chief and that a council meeting held in December 2021 that endorsed Katjiua was unlawful.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Friday 8 May
Ovaherero chieftaincy dispute legal costs reach N$10 million
Legal costs in the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority paramount chieftaincy have reached an estimated N$10 million. Chief Vipuira Kapuuo continues his court challenge against professor Mutjinde Katjiua's claim to the position, arguing that as chairperson of the Chief's Council he is the rightful acting paramount chief and that a council meeting held in December 2021 that endorsed Katjiua was unlawful.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Tuesday 17 March
Windhoek encourages cremation as five cemeteries reach capacity
The City of Windhoek, which records approximately 960 burials annually, says five of its seven cemeteries are at full capacity and is urging residents to consider cremation as an alternative. The municipality is exploring measures including second interments and developing a new cemetery at Rocky Crest, though some residents and cultural groups have raised concerns about land allocation and religious objections to cremation.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 10 March
Presidency denies Riruako State House visit recognition as paramount chief
The Presidency clarified that Hoze Riruako's meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should not be interpreted as recognition of him as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority, saying the matter remains before the courts and the executive cannot decide issues under judicial adjudication. The traditional authority has been disputed between Riruako's and Mutjinde Katjiua's factions.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 7 March
President discusses land, genocide reparations with Ovaherero chief
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Hoze Riruako of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority to discuss land, genocide reparations, and community concerns. Riruako described the engagement as constructive and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue on historical issues.
7 March 2026 · Informanté →
Friday 6 March
Ovaherero leadership presses government on land, genocide reparations
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by Hoze Riruako met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to advocate for quota-based land allocation for historically dispossessed communities, restitution of ancestral land rights, and renewed negotiations with Germany over 1904–1908 genocide reparations. Riruako said the Ovaherero community wants these issues addressed through Namibia's own development policies rather than relying solely on German compensation, and urged the government to formally recognize early liberation fighters and traditional leaders.
6 March 2026 · New Era →
Riruako urges government to allocate land to Ovaherero now
Ovaherero Traditional Authority chief Hoze Riruako has called on the government to allocate unoccupied land to the Herero population rather than wait for genocide reparation negotiations to conclude, clarifying that the initiative does not aim to reclaim legally acquired private land.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 21 January
Traditional leaders serve rural areas from Windhoek despite legal residency rules
Several Namibian traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen, are governing their rural communities while residing in Windhoek, contrary to the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, which requires them to live within their communal areas. They justify this practice by citing the effectiveness of deputies and local committees, though legal scholars note such violations may warrant removal from office.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →