Renthia Kaimbi
The appointment of Isaskar “Ou Issy” Taurob as acting chief has deepened long-running divisions within the Dâure Daman community.
Taurob, a senior traditional councillor, was appointed on Tuesday following the degazetting of former chief Zacharias Seibeb last month. His appointment is meant to restore stability, but it follows months of disputes over leadership and legitimacy.
In the election, Taurob received 403 votes; Ephraim Gaseb received six, and David Areseb received one.
The result was decisive, yet it remains contested.
According to customary law, the authority had 21 days after Seibeb’s removal to appoint an acting chief.
Taurob will serve for six months while a successor is identified.
Senior traditional councillor Hanna |Awaras confirmed the appointment and said it will be made official in writing to the minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa.
The dispute started when a community concern group petitioned against Seibeb, accusing him of nepotism and financial mismanagement.
Sankwasa intervened and recommended a redo of the succession process.
He said the late chief’s nomination of Seibeb was not binding under customary law because it lacked formal community approval. Following this advice, elders organised the August election.
On Tuesday, all gazetted traditional councillors and elders were called to a meeting to appoint an acting chief and address issues of unity under customary law.
Community concern group vice chairlady Cornelia Atjiwara said the meeting aimed to decide whether to endorse Taurob based on the August election and clarify how Seibeb’s supporters would participate.
She said their committee ensures that customary law is followed “to the tee”.
She added that senior traditional councillor Jakobus Ganuseb was appointed interim chairperson by the executive and that “no other interim chairperson should be recognised.”
Atjiwara dismissed individuals claiming the role without the executive’s endorsement.
“Any other person claiming to be an interim chairperson of the traditional authority was not endorsed by the executive and is therefore self-appointed,” she said.
However, Herman Naruseb, elected on Sunday as interim chairperson with senior traditional councillor Hendrik Afrikaaner as vice chairperson, said the elders’ council itself needs to be rebuilt. He said internal conflicts have excluded important stakeholders.
He also pointed to the use of different official stamps on letterheads as a sign of disorder.
Naruseb criticised Monday’s meeting, saying it was called without proper consultation and announced on the radio with little notice.
“Less than 20 people gathered but claimed to have concluded the meeting, saying they’ll write to minister Sankwasa that they have chosen Taurob,” he said.
He added that communities from Khorixas, Bersig, Anixab and other areas were not present.
