Erongo Police officers on Monday enforced a High Court order at the Daure Daman Traditional Authority offices in Uis, removing locks from the gates and dispersing community members gathered there. 

The operation, confirmed by Erongo Police Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, was reportedly carried out without incident or injury, in accordance with court instructions.

However, the operation has sparked controversy, with eyewitnesses describing the police action as brutal and politically motivated. The intervention came amid growing allegations of corruption and mismanagement against Chief Sagarias Seibeb of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority.

During the incident, the police arrested 11 people, including spokesperson Jimmy Areseb and four pensioners, who were protesting. 

Community unrest has been mounting since last year, following widespread rejection of Chief Seibeb by members of the community. The Chief and his daughter are accused of engaging in questionable dealings with Chinese mining company Xingfeng, which is currently under investigation along with the previous owners of the Orange River EPL. As a result, the Kalowa Mine has been temporarily shut down by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Areseb claims that the timing of the police intervention suggests an attempt to silence dissent, as it occurred just before a scheduled visit by ministry officials to Kalowa Mine on 30 April. 

In a telephonic interview with nbc News, Gaob Seibeb has strongly denied all allegations made against him, asserting that his office holds no responsibility for matters related to development or the management of natural resources.