Allexer Namundjembo
A petition calling for the removal of ||Khomani Traditional Authority chief Julienne Gawanas has formally been submitted to urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa in terms of Section 12(2) of the Traditional Authorities Act, Act 25 of 2000.
Steering Committee member Shaun Gariseb confirmed that the 29-page petition was delivered on Monday and reflects the wishes of members of the ||Khomani and ǂNūkhoen communities who support the initiative.
Gariseb said the community had already removed Gawanas through its traditional processes and is now seeking formal recognition of that decision through legal mechanisms provided under Namibian law.
“We must thank the community for participating. Even with logistical challenges, everyone did their part,” he said.
Gariseb added that the petition would be supported by the findings of a pending financial audit of the ||Khomani Traditional Authority.
However, he alleged that the audit has been delayed due to missing financial records spanning approximately 15 years.
Among the allegations outlined in the petition are claims that Gawanas cannot account for N$80,000 allegedly withdrawn from the Traditional Authority’s trust fund.
It is also alleged that the consent of Hoofman Hansen was forged in relation to financial signatory authority.
Gariseb said the matter will now be reviewed by the minister and an appointed committee, which could ultimately recommend the de-gazettement of Gawanas as chief to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
He warned that those behind the petition are prepared to pursue legal action if dissatisfied with the outcome.
“If we’re not satisfied with the outcome, we’ll take the minister to court and force him to explain how he can ignore nearly 99% of the breaches of our customary law, the Namibian Constitution, the Traditional Authorities Act 25 of 2000, and the supreme laws of the Damara people,” Gariseb said.
He further indicated that a criminal complaint could be lodged should the pending audit reveal evidence of financial mismanagement.
Gariseb said that the minister has been informed that Gawanas is no longer recognised by sections of the community backing the petition, and that no decisions affecting them should be issued through her office or the Traditional Authority.
A similar submission is also being prepared for the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform.
The petition further alleges illegal land sales dating back to 2012, disregard for community interests, and a lack of engagement with residents.
It claims that the traditional leadership has failed to operate from Aronvlei, the official seat of the Traditional Authority since its gazettement on 30 April 2002 (No. 2733), as recognised under Section 3 of the ||Khomani laws.
“The community is deeply unhappy with the composition of the council, which is made up of people who are not even ||Khomani community members,” the petition states.
The dispute follows longstanding tensions within the community. Gariseb claimed that previous attempts to initiate dialogue were met with resistance, including arrests and public criticism of those advocating for leadership change.
“The people have spoken. We are fixing our governance,” he said.
Gawanas had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication. Questions sent to her by the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday went unanswered. The ministry has also not yet issued a statement on the matter.
The issue now proceeds to the next stage of review under the Traditional Authorities Act.
Background
Earlier this year, Gawanas faced a vote of no confidence initiated by the Landless ||Khomani Association and the Land Access Movement of Namibia over allegations linked to land allocation in the traditional district.
In a notice dated 27 March 2026, the organisations indicated they would institute proceedings under Section 8(1) of the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000.
The move followed 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 chief and the Traditional Authority.
Formal proceedings were scheduled to begin on 13 April 2026, including consultations across affected areas to determine whether sufficient grounds exist for removal.
The process is expected to follow both customary law and statutory requirements, allowing Gawanas 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, and the media were expected to be invited to ensure transparency.
Community meetings were planned across Windhoek, !Nauspoort, Khoroxas, Aronvlei, Otjimbingwe and surrounding farms between May and June 2026.
The process comes amid allegations that Gawanas was involved in the unlawful allocation of land.
Gariseb previously claimed that individuals were paying for land allocations and that a significant number of residents in areas such as Khoroxas are not ||Khomani.
“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 added that many residents only become aware of new occupants once settlement has already occurred, while ||Khomani community members struggle to access land.
Gariseb also highlighted limited infrastructure, noting that a single water point serves the entire community, with households restricted to pumping water once a week.
Concerns were also raised over land ownership clarity, with conflicting claims involving municipal and ministerial authority.
The matter has further drawn in Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Member of Parliament Michael Mulunga, who owns a five-hectare poultry farming plot in the area and has been accused of illegally occupying land.
Mulunga denied the allegations, stating that he acquired the land before entering 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.
