Petition seeking removal of ||Khomani chief submitted

Allexer Namundjembo

A petition calling for the removal of ||Khomani Traditional Authority chief Julienne Gawanas has formally been submitted to urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa in terms of Section 12(2) of the Traditional Authorities Act, Act 25 of 2000.

Steering Committee member Shaun Gariseb confirmed that the 29-page petition was delivered on Monday and reflects the wishes of members of the ||Khomani and ǂNūkhoen communities who support the initiative.

Gariseb said the community had already removed Gawanas through its traditional processes and is now seeking formal recognition of that decision through legal mechanisms provided under Namibian law.

“We must thank the community for participating. Even with logistical challenges, everyone did their part,” he said.

Gariseb added that the petition would be supported by the findings of a pending financial audit of the ||Khomani Traditional Authority.

However, he alleged that the audit has been delayed due to missing financial records spanning approximately 15 years.