Two activists, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma of the Affirmative Repositioning Movement (AR) and Michael Amushelelo of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), who spent over three months in the Windhoek Correctional Facility for inciting public violence during a protest at ChinaTown complex, shared their experience behind bars. The duo were released this morning after High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg granted each N$5000 bail.
Nauyoma and Amushelelo staged a protest at China Town in May after Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA) ordered burning of N$5 million worth of counterfeit goods imported from China by Namibians for resale. The NEFF Commissar for Economic and Development Affairs, Amushelelo shared that the time he spent behind bars has strengthened his character.
"In prison, it is a college, it's a university to harden you. There is no correctional or rehabilitation happening here," said Amushelelo shortly after his release.
He stated that the protest at China Town was a small incident. Amushelelo said the bigger problem they are trying to illustrate to the nation is that the imperialists are here. "We need to fight with more vigour and determination. You can not say you are a peaceful and stable country if you have millions of people living in shacks," remarked Amushelelo who also used the moment to send a clarion call to government to address economic and social issues facing the youth which include unemployment and the high levels of crime reported in the country in recent weeks.
Similarly, Nauyoma thanked the retiring Namibian police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga and colleagues for arresting him as he was able to experience the prison system. "We must thank those guys (for arresting us). Had they not done what they did, we would have been speaking about a prison system but we do not have the experience. I was told if you want to strengthen an iron, once you hit it and cool it, it becomes strong. We now know up to what tactics the regime is willing to go. I must consult my lawyer on what I can speak and what I cannot speak," stated Nauyoma who said the law is oppressing Namibians.
According to one of the lawyers defending the duo, Kadhila Amoomo said the two should not have been in custody for the past three months. Amoomo said that there is a need to reform the country’s bail system as what was on display as far as the granting of bail is concerned there has been a disregard of uniformity and consistency.
“What has been on display, especially this year, as far as the granting of bail is concerned, you would see that there is a disregard for uniformity and consistency. People who should not be granted bail are granted bail, and those who should be granted bail are not. Clearly the public can tell there is a sense of differentiation,” says Amoomo.
Amoomo also called on members of the legal profession to consider this case as a benchmark to improve the bail system and to uphold the public’s confidence in the judicial system.
Judge Liebenberg declared that the lower court's decision to deny Nauyoma and Amushelelo bail was deemed to be incorrect and that the interest of justice does not require the ongoing incarceration of the accused, pending the conclusion of their case. Among bail conditions set by Judge Liebenberg, is that Amushelelo and Nauyoma may not organise or participate in any unlawful public gathering, and that they should remain outside one kilometre radius around the China Town business complex.
By:Joseph Ilonga
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