Maria David and Placido Hilukilwa
SENIOR Traditional Councilor John Walenga, the chairperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA), has directed the new headman of Ekonghola village in the Ombulu area of the Okongo constituency, Sylvanus Elago, to ignore any application for land from those who participated in the demonstration against the newly appointed headman.
This comes after some Ekonghola residents petitioned the Ondonga Traditional Authority against the installation of Elago as the new headman, stating that he does not live in the village but resides in Oshigambo and will not understand the challenges and needs of the villagers.
“No piece of land in Ekonghola should ever be allocated to those youngsters who participated in the demonstration. Never ever,” he said.
Elago was appointed by King Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo and installed in his new position by Walenga this past weekend.
The position has been vacant since the death in 2021 of the late village headman Antonius Nghilongwa.
King Nangolo’s appointment of Elago as the new village headman attracted opposition from some villagers who staged a demonstration and petitioned the OTA, demanding that the King reverse his decision and appoint someone else.
They claimed that Elago was not from the Ekonghola village and was not acquainted with the local community and its needs.
They also pointed out that the late Nghilongwa had nominated three potential successors, but none of them was considered.
During the installation ceremony, Walenga said that the King has the power to appoint anyone as the village head, regardless of whether he/she is or is not a resident of that particular village.
He lamented the fact that police officers had to be deployed, wasting scarce resources and valuable time because of the “unruly youngsters” who, according to him, are resisting and even insulting the King.
He said that living in the geographic area under the OTA is voluntary, and those who feel that they are unwilling to abide by the existing order are free to leave. He further said that those who reject the newly installed headman are doing themselves a disservice since, sooner or later, they will need the headman’s service.
