Allexer Namundjembo
Residents of the ||Khomani Traditional Authority handed over a petition on Monday calling for a vote of no confidence against chief Juliane Gawanas and her council.
The group gathered at Dolam in Katutura, led by community activist Shaun Gariseb.
They accuse the leadership of selling land meant for local residents to business people within the ||Khomani area.
The petition follows a community meeting held on 31 January at A.I. Steenkamp Primary School, where more than 750 people supported a vote of no confidence against the chief and the council.
The process forms part of steps taken by the Landless ||Khomani Association and the Land Access Movement of Namibia.
In a notice dated 27 March, the groups said they would begin proceedings under section 8(1) of the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000.
Residents have called for removal proceedings to begin on 16 May. The notice states that the chief may mobilise support before the vote.
“You are not against any candidate, and the acting chief will be decided by the community. The acting chief will be installed for 24 months and will constitute a disciplinary committee to deal with council members and oversee the review of customary law, as per Article 39 of the |Khomani customary laws,” the petition reads.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is expected to oversee the process. Independent observers from the office of the governor, government ministries, the police and the media are expected to attend.
A screening team will be present at the voting venue. Organisers say this is to prevent people without proper documents from taking part.
“IDs, birth certificates and marriage certificates will be the only acceptable documents. Where someone has lost an ID, a declaration and a copy of the ID must accompany a birth certificate,” the document states.
The group also accuses the chief of failing to call general meetings for 15 years and not reporting to the community. They want a 10-year financial report and records of land rights issued in areas such as Goas, Nossob, Groot Aub, Nauspoort and Khoroxas.
Formal proceedings started on 13 April. The process includes consultations to determine if there are enough grounds for removal. It will follow both customary and legal procedures. Gawanas will have a chance to respond and present her case.
Gariseb said access to land remains a concern for community members.
“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,” he said.
He said residents often only learn about new occupants after they settle.
“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,” Gariseb 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 also involves Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mulunga, who owns a five-hectare plot used for poultry farming and has been accused of illegal occupation.
Gariseb questioned the fairness of land allocation.
“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,” he said.
Mulunga denied the claims.
“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.
Community meetings will take place between May and June 2026 in Windhoek, !Nauspoort, Khoroxas, Arovlei, Otjimbingwe and nearby farms as part of the consultation process.
Gawanas declined to comment when contacted by the Windhoek Observer.
