The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has appealed to the Council of Traditional Authority Leaders not to allow traditional authorities in disputes to attend the annual gathering.

Sankwasa referenced that since independence, the number of traditional authorities has increased, and if this trend continues, government support may become a challenge.

He lamented unnecessary infighting among some traditional authorities because leaders are not elected but are supposed to come from the bloodline.

Sankwasa is not taking disputes lightly.

"This, I hope, is the last Council that will accommodate traditional authorities that are in dispute. Because if they have failed to solve their dispute there, they have nothing they're going to contribute to this Council. So first, before you become a member of this traditional authority, resolve your chieftaincy dispute before you come here. This sitting will be the last to be attended by councillors from a traditional authority without a chief."

The Council's Chairperson, Immanuel |Gaseb, said traditional authorities continue to face unprecedented challenges arising from power struggles, which have led to leadership disputes among various traditional authorities.

Gaob |Gaseb explained that divisions among subjects create challenges for traditional authorities, and some often end up in courts.

The Chairperson also called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to provide guidance to ensure that cultural norms and values are protected at all costs. 

"Most of these cases are initiated by those with good academic credentials to decide traditional leaders and communities for their own interest."