Police witnesses exonerate Amushelelo of violent conduct
Police officers testifying in the trial of Michael Amushelelo yesterday said they did not witness the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) activist and his co-accused directing unemployed demonstrators to throw stones at police vehicles, as claimed by the State.
Over 1 000 Namibians gathered at the Katutura Youth Complex yesterday in a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of Amushelelo, who was arrested at the protest seven months ago.
Arrested on 21 March for allegedly leading an illegal protest against staggering youth unemployment, Amushelelo attended his trial at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, where the masses sang for his release.
During the trial proceedings, presided over by Magistrate Linus Samunzala, two police officers testified that young unemployed demonstrators left the scene within five minutes of being directed to do so.
This was moments after the court dismissed Amushelelo’s urgent application seeking permission to hold the demonstration, after police inspector-general Joseph Shikongo refused the request.
Amushelelo rushed to Katutura to inform the gathering about the court verdict, but was arrested at the scene alongside parliamentarian Inna Hengari of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and social justice activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma.
The two police officers yesterday testified that they did not hear the activists ordering the gathering to throw stones at police cars – with the State alleging that the demonstration turned violent, leading to the arrest.
Disheartening
Yesterday, NEFF members, alongside Amushelelo's wife, Julieta, delivered a petition to the deputy executive director of the judiciary office, Khaepriums Swartz, asking for the immediate release of the activist.
"We respectfully request your intervention to secure his immediate release. Amushelelo has been detained and refused bail for simply standing side by side and being a voice for the unemployed youth of Namibia.
“It is disheartening to witness the suppression of youth voices and the targeting of individuals who strive to create positive change within our society," the petition read.
People's choice
Fellow NEFF commissar Gregory Cloete told Namibian Sun the group hopes that the "people's choice will be the right choice".
"When we go to elections, whoever is elected is elected by choice of the people. You can see in the number of people who showed up for Amushelelo that the people want him to be released. They know what he stands for and represents," he said amid chants and songs from protestors.
Cloete added that unemployment was the cause for Amushelelo's "revolutionary actions" that led to his incarceration.
"By detaining Amushelelo, we not only infringe upon the youth's basic human rights, but also discourage other young activists from speaking out and working towards a better society."
Amushelelo's trial started yesterday and was postponed to today. His lawyer Kadhila Amoomo was absent and it was decided that he would remain in police custody for the duration of the trial.
Samunzala presided while Tatelo Cuthbert Lusepani represented the State.
Over 1 000 Namibians gathered at the Katutura Youth Complex yesterday in a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of Amushelelo, who was arrested at the protest seven months ago.
Arrested on 21 March for allegedly leading an illegal protest against staggering youth unemployment, Amushelelo attended his trial at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, where the masses sang for his release.
During the trial proceedings, presided over by Magistrate Linus Samunzala, two police officers testified that young unemployed demonstrators left the scene within five minutes of being directed to do so.
This was moments after the court dismissed Amushelelo’s urgent application seeking permission to hold the demonstration, after police inspector-general Joseph Shikongo refused the request.
Amushelelo rushed to Katutura to inform the gathering about the court verdict, but was arrested at the scene alongside parliamentarian Inna Hengari of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and social justice activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma.
The two police officers yesterday testified that they did not hear the activists ordering the gathering to throw stones at police cars – with the State alleging that the demonstration turned violent, leading to the arrest.
Disheartening
Yesterday, NEFF members, alongside Amushelelo's wife, Julieta, delivered a petition to the deputy executive director of the judiciary office, Khaepriums Swartz, asking for the immediate release of the activist.
"We respectfully request your intervention to secure his immediate release. Amushelelo has been detained and refused bail for simply standing side by side and being a voice for the unemployed youth of Namibia.
“It is disheartening to witness the suppression of youth voices and the targeting of individuals who strive to create positive change within our society," the petition read.
People's choice
Fellow NEFF commissar Gregory Cloete told Namibian Sun the group hopes that the "people's choice will be the right choice".
"When we go to elections, whoever is elected is elected by choice of the people. You can see in the number of people who showed up for Amushelelo that the people want him to be released. They know what he stands for and represents," he said amid chants and songs from protestors.
Cloete added that unemployment was the cause for Amushelelo's "revolutionary actions" that led to his incarceration.
"By detaining Amushelelo, we not only infringe upon the youth's basic human rights, but also discourage other young activists from speaking out and working towards a better society."
Amushelelo's trial started yesterday and was postponed to today. His lawyer Kadhila Amoomo was absent and it was decided that he would remain in police custody for the duration of the trial.
Samunzala presided while Tatelo Cuthbert Lusepani represented the State.
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