Hinda claims trauma from online Amupanda attack
Deputy finance minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende claims she has been left traumatised after Affirmative Repositioning politician Job Amupanda posted a picture last year with the intention to mock her.
An expert opinion sought by Hinda-Mbuende from psychologist Ute Sinkala claimed Amupanda’s post had a detrimental effect on several aspects of her life and well-being.
"A clinical interview and evaluation of Ms Hinda-Mbuende said the statements and posts made about her have caused emotional trauma. All areas of her life have been impacted, and the effects have been detrimental," Sinkala said in an expert opinion, which forms part of the deputy minister's N$1 million defamation lawsuit against Amupanda.
Damage to reputation
Sinkala explained that harm to a person’s reputation causes the individual to be shamed, ridiculed, held in contempt, lowered in the estimation of the community, and lose employment status or earnings.
"Ms Hinda-Mbuende suffered many of the above-mentioned effects because of the defamation of character. The posts went viral, and colleagues as well as the public, have access to these posts. Loss of reputability severely impacted her reputation as a political leader. This has had and continues to impact her public persona. These same impacts were not spared by her friends, family and associates," Sinkala noted.
Pervasive
The report by Sinkala stated that the post also impacted Hinda-Mbuende’s personal life, including her closest family and friends.
"Subsequently, the impact trickled down to Ms Hinda-Mbuende’s personal life. Ultimately, what started with a single post significantly damaged her relationships, mental and physical health as well as her overall quality of life," Sinkala said.
In July 2021, Amupanda took to his social media page, posting a message featuring a picture of a woman making a hand gesture, saying she had the potential to yield violence.
"It LOOKS like Deputy Minister of Finance Maureen Hinda during the Liberation Struggle. Maureen was soo WizWiz. It's like she won't think twice about taking a knife out! [sic]," Amupanda’s post read.
Amupanda is being sued for N$1 million by the deputy finance minister. Anne-Doris Kaumbi is her legal representative, while Amupanda is being represented by Kadhila Amoomo. Judge Collins Parker is presiding over the matter.
An expert opinion sought by Hinda-Mbuende from psychologist Ute Sinkala claimed Amupanda’s post had a detrimental effect on several aspects of her life and well-being.
"A clinical interview and evaluation of Ms Hinda-Mbuende said the statements and posts made about her have caused emotional trauma. All areas of her life have been impacted, and the effects have been detrimental," Sinkala said in an expert opinion, which forms part of the deputy minister's N$1 million defamation lawsuit against Amupanda.
Damage to reputation
Sinkala explained that harm to a person’s reputation causes the individual to be shamed, ridiculed, held in contempt, lowered in the estimation of the community, and lose employment status or earnings.
"Ms Hinda-Mbuende suffered many of the above-mentioned effects because of the defamation of character. The posts went viral, and colleagues as well as the public, have access to these posts. Loss of reputability severely impacted her reputation as a political leader. This has had and continues to impact her public persona. These same impacts were not spared by her friends, family and associates," Sinkala noted.
Pervasive
The report by Sinkala stated that the post also impacted Hinda-Mbuende’s personal life, including her closest family and friends.
"Subsequently, the impact trickled down to Ms Hinda-Mbuende’s personal life. Ultimately, what started with a single post significantly damaged her relationships, mental and physical health as well as her overall quality of life," Sinkala said.
In July 2021, Amupanda took to his social media page, posting a message featuring a picture of a woman making a hand gesture, saying she had the potential to yield violence.
"It LOOKS like Deputy Minister of Finance Maureen Hinda during the Liberation Struggle. Maureen was soo WizWiz. It's like she won't think twice about taking a knife out! [sic]," Amupanda’s post read.
Amupanda is being sued for N$1 million by the deputy finance minister. Anne-Doris Kaumbi is her legal representative, while Amupanda is being represented by Kadhila Amoomo. Judge Collins Parker is presiding over the matter.
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