Allexer Namundjembo
Chief of the ||Khomani Traditional Authority Julianne Gawanas is facing a no-confidence process following allegations linked to land allocation in the traditional district.
The Landless |Khomani Association and the Land Access Movement of Namibia have initiated steps toward her possible removal.
In a notice dated 27 March 2026, the organisations said they will institute proceedings in terms of Section 8(1) of the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000.
The move follows a resolution adopted at a community meeting held on 31 January at A.I. Steenkamp Primary School, where more than 750 community members reportedly passed a vote of no confidence against both the traditional authority and Gawanas.
According to the notice, supporting documents, including attendance registers, minutes and visual records, will form part of the process.
Formal proceedings are set to begin on 13 April 2026 and will include community consultations to determine whether grounds exist for her removal.
The notice states that the process will follow customary law and statutory requirements.
Gawanas will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations, present evidence and be represented by her council or legal representatives.
Independent observers from the office of the governor, relevant ministries, the Namibian Police, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and the media are expected to be invited to ensure transparency.
Community meetings are planned for Windhoek, !Nauspoort, Khoroxas, Arovlei, Otjimbingwe and surrounding farms between May and June 2026.
The process comes amid allegations that Gawanas is involved in the unlawful allocation of land.
When contacted by the Windhoek Observer over the weekend, she declined to comment.
The allegations were raised by community activist Shaun Gariseb, who claims the chief has been receiving payments in exchange for land.
“About 65% of people living at !Khoroxas are not ||Khomani. They have bought land through the ‘Gaos’ in Dolam. The biggest challenge is the lack of clear communication from the chief to locals on how land is allocated,” Gariseb said.
He said residents often only become aware of new occupants when they see people settling on the land.
He added that ||Khomani people are struggling to access land.
Gariseb said there is limited infrastructure in the area.
“There is only one water point serving the entire community. Households are allocated time to pump water once a week, but this is not sufficient,” he said.
He also raised concerns about land ownership.
“Today you hear the land belongs to the municipality; tomorrow it belongs to the ministry. Meanwhile, those buying land illegally are disregarding the law,” he said.
The matter has also drawn in Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Michael Mulunga, who owns a five-hectare plot in the area used for poultry farming. He has been accused of illegally occupying the land.
Gariseb questioned the fairness of land allocation, saying it benefits non-||Khomani individuals.
“He claims to have followed all procedures, but our traditional leaders are not explaining why this process is not equally accessible to ||Khomani people who want to develop their own land,” Gariseb said.
Mulunga denied the allegations and said he acquired the land before becoming a member of parliament.
“Just because I am Omuwambo does not mean I cannot be allocated land by the ||Khomani Traditional Authority. Let us advocate for the ||Khomani people, but not promote tribalism,” he said.
