The degazetted chief of the Tsoaxaudaman Traditional Authority, Joshua Seibeb, has said he will not fight the decision.
But he emphasised that he was appointed by the late Chief Bethuel Haraseb and therefore questioned how he was removed by the minister.
Senior councillors of the Tsoaxaudaman Traditional Authority convened a meeting to discuss Seibeb's removal at Otjimbingwe.
Seibeb, as a statement of acceptance of his removal as chief, did not sit among the leadership, opting rather to sit with the subjects.
He informed the gathering that he will not fight the laws of the country but remains unsure about why the minister decided to remove him.
"I am here to inform you that I have taken on the responsibility of this clan, and if I have made any mistakes, please let me know. How do you go to Windhoek without informing me and then say people don't want me? So no, you must carry the responsibility, but I have been removed. I was told not to touch anything related to governance or to sign any document, but I have brought so much development to this area; you can touch and feel what I have brought."
But the senior councillors and some community members who are in support of Seibeb say he remains the chief of the Tsoaxaudaman.
The group says, as per the customary laws of the Tsuaxudaman, a chief names his successor, and this was the case with Seibeb.
Joshua Seibeb was removed after accusations that he failed to implement a 2022 agreement concerning the appointment of senior and traditional councillors.
Minister James Sankwasa explained at the time when he removed Seibeb that "the community was directed and is expected to elect a new Chief, as Mr Joshua Seibeb has failed to adhere to the terms and conditions of the agreement or memorandum of understanding agreed between him and Mr Salathiel !Kharuxab or alternatively, he should now implement the resolution of the said meeting of 16 April 2025 and meet the requirement set by his community; only then will he be gazetted again as the Chief of the Tsoaxudaman Traditional Authority."