26 Government Gazette 22 December 2000 Act No. 25, 2000 No. 2456 TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES ACT, 2000 Limitation of powers of traditional authorities 14. In the exercise of the powers or the performance of the duties and functions referred to in section 3 by a traditional authority or a member thereof(a) any custom, tradition, practice, or usa ge which is discriminatory or which detracts from or violates the rights of any person as guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution or any other statutory law, or which prejudices the national interest, shall cease to apply; (b) the customary law of a traditional community shall only apply to the members of that traditional community and to any person who is not a member of that traditional community, but who by his or her conduct or consent submits himself or herself to the customary law of that traditional community; and (c) a traditional leader shall not permit his or her political opinions or allegiance to influence (i) the functions of his or her office as traditional leader; or (ii) the members of the traditional community in respect of which he or she was designated and recognized, or appointed or elected, as the case may be . Holding of political of fice by chief or head of traditional community 15. (1) Every chief or head of a traditional community elected or appointed to a political office shall (a) upon such election or acceptance of such appointment be considered to have taken leave of absence from the office of chief or head of a traditional community for the duration that he or she holds such political office; and (b) forthwith notify the Minister in writing of the date with effect from which he or she holds such political office. page 26