Placido Hilukilwa
THERE is an urgent need to codify customary laws and amend the Traditional Authorities Act to avoid a situation whereby traditional leaders are dismissed without following proper procedures.
This was said by Elize Angula of Angula Incorporated, who represented dismissed Ondonga traditional leaders in a legal battle that lasted approximately three years.
Speaking at the official installation of King Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo at Onambango on Saturday, Angula said that what happened in Ondnga should serve as a lesson to all.
She said that senior and junior traditional councilors of the 0ndonga Traditional Authority (OTA) were dismissed by obscure powers exploiting loopholes in the legal system and using a fake stamp and then attributing the irregular dismissals to late King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas.
The senior traditional councilors of Ondonga who were allegedly dismissed in 2017 included OTA chairman Peter Kauluma who is now lat;, OTA secretary Joseph Asino and senior headmen Vilho Kamanya and John Walenga.
They challenged their dismissal in the High Court and teamed up with Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo who was equally being targeted and gradually sidelined as King Elifas’ deputy and successor.
Angula also revealed her plan to meet Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga urgently to propose amendments to the Traditional Authorities Act to close any loopholes that are the cause of current tribal conflicts.
