IN a case that has garnered national attention, activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, and parliamentarian Inna Hengari appeared in court yesterday after their involvement in a demonstration about unemployment in Namibia on Tuesday.During their appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court at Katutura, the prosecution requested more time for further investigation into the case. As a result, the case was postponed to 29 March.However, the trio's defence team will launch a formal bail application today. “The state is opposed to the granting of bail due to the propensity to commit further offences and investigations not finalised,” prosecutor Victoria Thompson said yesterday.Amushelelo and Nauyoma were represented by lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, who said the police refused to collect video evidence they made available.“My clients tried to assist the investigator by collecting all video footage stored in a USB and booked at the police station, but the police refused to receive the footage,” Amoomo said.The trio was arrested on Tuesday and charged with contravening the Public Gatherings Proclamation of 1989, malicious damage to property, inciting damage to property, and contempt of court.They were arrested for leading an unsanctioned demonstration about Namibia's high unemployment rate, after the High Court denied their application to be allowed to stage a protest after Namibian Police chief inspector general Joseph Shikongo informed them that the planned protest may not take place on Independence Day.Tuesday's arrests have sparked widespread criticism and a broader debate about freedom of expression and the right to protest.'MODERN-DAY POLICE STATE'“It is clear the police did not do due diligence on the arrest, and now they are scrapping evidence and thumbsucking to prove a case. They must be released,” Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said yesterday.According to the secretary general of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna), Mahongora Kavihuha, Namibia is a modern-day police dictatorship.He said they have experienced police brutality and heartless force from the Namibian Police who have no mercy for Namibian people.Kavihuha was yesterday speaking at a media briefing against police brutality and dictatorship in Namibia. Last year, the police used force on a public protest that sought to shut down Chinese-owned businesses in Windhoek.Several journalists were injured and some were shot with rubber bullets. In 2020, the police fired shots and tear gas at unarmed protesters during a #ShutItAllDown protest.“There is no way in the Constitution the demonstrators are required to ask for permission.“The police are there to protect. To say no to a protest is a clear violation of the Constitution, which allows the Namibian people to express themselves,” Kavihuha said.He said the public cannot continue observing the decay of living standards, democracy, expression and the fight for self-determination being eroded by the “brutal police and irresponsible administrations”.“Now Namibia is experiencing a modern-day police dictatorship, where the dictator does not allow dissent and ensures that everyone agrees with them.“They undermine all forms of dissent and the freedom of expression of individuals,” he said.Kavihuha said dictators do not believe in democracy although they publicly proclaim otherwise.“They effectively dismantle the parliament and take control of the police and judiciary.“The police have misdirected themselves with the court ruling by deliberately also quoting the demonstration as a strike. With protests no one is required to request any permission. The police is there to be notified,” he said.Kavihuha said Tucna fully supports those fighting for social justice.“We cannot allow young people to be subjected [sic]just because politicians have failed to do what they are supposed to do,” he said. Last year, it was reported that the police recorded 200 cases related to police brutality between 2011 and 2021, with 37 of these cases resulting in a total payout of about N$2,8 million. Civil cases against the police are on the rise, with 248 cases registered since 2020.
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