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Namibia: Caprivi Tensions Still Simmering
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
8 August 2008
Posted to the web 8 August 2008
Brigitte Weidlich
MEMBERS of the Masubiya community, who illegally erected a sub-khuta (tribal authority) office for a traditional councillor of Masubiya Chief Kisco Liswani III at Sikanjabuka on tribal land under the jurisdiction of the Mafwe and saw it torn down by enraged Mafwe members, will rebuild the structure next week.
"This land is ours and we will start putting up the khuta office again," Chris Matengu of the Masubyia community told The Namibian yesterday.
A fight erupted two weeks ago between the Mafwe and Masubiya and 12 men were arrested.
They were released on bail and the court case will be heard next month.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba is travelling to Katima Mulilo today to open a regional constituency office.
On Saturday Pohamba will speak at a Swapo Party rally at Katima Mulilo.
Former President Sam Nujoma is also expected to attend.
A meeting with the traditional chiefs is not planned according to the programme, although many Caprivians feel that only President Pohamba can ease the rising tribal tensions between the Mafwe and Masubiya.
"It is possible that the President might still meet the traditional leaders, as he is aware of the problems there," a source to State House told The Namibian yesterday.
When approached for comment on whether a meeting would be scheduled, Caprivi Governor Leonard Mwilima would neither deny nor confirm it.
"This is still under discussion," Mwilima said late yesterday.
A representative of the Mafwe community said his people would be ready for the Masubiya, should they rebuild the khuta.
"Sikanjabuka is Mafwe land and on June 19 all parties who attended a meeting of Caprivi Governor Leonard Mwilima, including the Masubiya Chief Kisco Liswani III, accepted the proposal that the khuta would not be erected," the source said.
"We from the Mafwe community were thus very upset when the Masubiya started constructing the khuta again, transporting poles with the tractor belonging to Chief Liswani," the source said.
"Members of the Police and the Namibia Central Intelligence Service were present.
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However, when the khuta was suddenly erected again last month, Police did nothing to stop those people and only acted when the fighting had broken out," the source alleged yesterday.
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