Traditional authorities defend under-fire governor
RUNDU – Traditional authorities in the two Kavango regions have expressed disappointment in the group that is calling for the removal of Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the authorities said the group’s motives do not represent the people of the two regions.
The Kavango East Concerned Group (KECG) is planning to hold a mass demonstration on Friday to insist that Wakudumo be dismissed after he appointed Chinese businessman Charlie Min Xie as an advisor on regional development issues last year.
The appointment on 19 December 2020 sparked a public outcry particularly from the KECG, which held a demonstration and wrote a petition to President Hage Geingob asking that Wakudumo be relieved of his duties.
This demonstration was followed by an apology from Wakudumo, who also reversed his decision to appoint Xie.
According to the traditional authorities, the KECG is allegedly accusing Wakudumo of being a tribalist when the group itself is allegedly the one advancing this agenda.
“It is evident that December’s demonstration has nothing to do with the appointment of Xie.
akudumo apologised but KECG still insists on his removal. Clearly, this is part of their long-term goals in pushing recognition of the Nyemba tribal group and seeking dominance over the natives of the two Kavango regions,” they said.
The traditional leadership said they also observed that the demonstrators are allegedly Nyemba, who are of Angolan descent, and have been pushing the agenda of recognition from the government since 2014.
In response, KECG spokesperson Petersen Kambinda said it is unfortunate that the traditional authorities are reacting to the issue with tribal connotations.
“It cannot be right that every time citizens or voters demand accountability through inclusive development from their leaders, then it is an attack on the people who hold such offices,” he said. – Nampa