The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has appointed a committee to investigate the Vaalgras Traditional Authority leadership succession dispute. 

Members of the Vaalgras community have been embroiled in a leadership succession dispute since the death of their late Chief Joel Stephanus five years ago. 

Sankwasa, in a letter, indicated that two applications for government recognition and designation as Chief of the Vaalgras community triggered the anticipated investigation aimed at finding an amicable resolution to the succession leadership dispute. 

Both Samuel Stephanus and Aron Stephanus, who applied to be designated the Chief of the Vaalgras community, known as the Orlam and Nama-speaking Hereros, welcomed the planned investigation. 

The committee will first convene separate meetings with both Aron and Samuel Stephanus, including ten community members nominated by each of them. 

The groups will also be accorded an opportunity to do presentations and contributions on the succession issue. 

Therefore, the committee will convene a meeting with both groups at the beginning of next month.