Staff Writer
Following the sudden death of Ovaherero Paramount Chief, Vekuii Rukoro, the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) has appointed a Transitional Committee assuming all the functions of the Paramount Chief.
The Committee, appointed on Saturday, consists of three chiefs and four former advisers of the late paramount chief. The three chiefs are Vipuira Kapuuo of Ovitoto, Boas Tjingaete of Otjombinde and Rehabeam Rukambe of Okamatapati. The advisers are Mac Hengari, Amon Ngarite, Laurencia Katjitai and OTA Secretary, Mutjinde Katjiua.
The chairperson of the OTA Genocide Committee, Nandiuasora Mazeingo, is an ex-officio member of the transitional committee.
Katjiua will chair the Transitional Committee, which will meet periodically as the need arises until a Paramount Chief is elected. However, Goab Johannes Isaack, will spearhead the genocide issues in the meantime.
Katjiua says all 30 chiefs that resort under the OTA were consulted and agreed on the Transitional Committee.
He adds that discussions on the succession issue are still premature as they first have to accord the late Paramount Chief a burial beffiting his status.
He said that only after the funeral, will the process be set in motion.
On the funeral arrangements, the committee was expected to meet the governor of Otjozundjupa region James Uerikua but the meeting did not take place as scheduled.
Paramount chief Rukoro died at a Windhoek hospital on Friday days after he tested positive for Covd-19. He was 66.
The paramount chief served in many capacities including as secretary general of Swanu and became the party’s president in 1989.
He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Namibia which drafted the country’s Constitution and he was appointed deputy minister of justice and served in this portfolio from 1990 to 1995.
He was attorney-general from 1995 to 2000.
He was elected paramount chief in 2014.
In a statement on Friday, President Hage Geingob said the remains of the late paramount chief will be buried on a date and place to be agreed to in consultation with the family.
