Staff Reporter
THE family of the late Immanuel Gotlieb Ndemulungila Nathaniel, widely known as Maxuilili, has called on the Government to immediately suspend plans to exhume his remains from Walvis Bay and rebury them at Heroes’ Acre, saying they were not consulted and warning that the move could interfere with ongoing police investigations into his death.
In a statement issued on behalf of Maxuilili’s siblings and extended family, his brother, Keshi Pelao Nathanael, said the family had received information that the Government intends to exhume the late national hero’s remains on Friday, 31 July 2026.
According to Nathanael, the news has caused “deep pain and distress” within the family and reopened old wounds surrounding Maxuilili’s death, which they say occurred under questionable circumstances.
He said the family believes the proposed exhumation could interfere with police investigations that have not yet been concluded and questioned the legal basis for the planned reburial.
“We have not been formally consulted, nor have we been provided with the legal basis for this decision,” Nathanael said.
He explained that Maxuilili was buried in Walvis Bay 27 years ago because the town had become his home, where he lived, worked, served the community and built the political legacy for which he is remembered.
According to the family, all customary mourning and burial rites were performed at the time of his burial, both in Walvis Bay and at the family’s ancestral village of Oshimwaku in north-central Namibia, where senior family and clan elders conducted the principal traditional ceremonies.
The family also raised concerns over the burial of Maxuilili’s wife, who was later laid to rest beside him under a shared tombstone.
“We have received no explanation as to whether her remains will also be disturbed if the Government proceeds. This uncertainty has added greatly to our family’s anguish,” Nathanael said.
While acknowledging the honour bestowed upon Maxuilili as a National Hero, the family argued that any decision affecting his final resting place should be undertaken lawfully, transparently and only after meaningful consultation with both families, recognised clan elders and the relevant traditional authority.
They further stressed that under customary law, disturbing ancestral graves is a matter of significant cultural importance that should be decided collectively by the family and recognised relatives.
The family also acknowledged that some people support the planned reburial but maintained that they remain firmly opposed to the decision and believe their concerns should be fully considered before any irreversible action is taken.
Among their demands, the family called on the Government to immediately suspend the planned exhumation, provide all legal authorisations and supporting documents relating to the decision, clarify whether Maxuilili’s late wife would also be exhumed, and engage in meaningful consultations with the immediate family, extended family, recognised clan elders and the traditional authority.
The family warned that proceeding with the exhumation without addressing these concerns could be inconsistent with Namibia’s domestic laws, customary law and international human rights and cultural heritage standards governing the treatment of human remains.
“Our family remains committed to resolving this matter peacefully, respectfully and through lawful means. We sincerely hope that meaningful dialogue can take place before any irreversible steps are taken,” Nathanael said.
PICTURED: Late Immanuel Gotlieb Ndemulungila Nathaniel. Photo: Contributed
