They were bluffing – Wendelinus
Former Mr Gay Namibia Wendelinus Hamutenya-Jeremiah says the veterans of the liberation struggle who threatened to sue him for N$1.5 million after he described them as sexually promiscuous, witches and "very stupid individuals whose brains are upside down", were just "bluffing".
He argues they never intended to turn to the court.
Hamutenya-Jeremiah made the remarks earlier this week when asked whether the Former Plan Combatants Association (FPCA), who, through their lawyer, had written to him on 27 July, demanding that he retract the statements he made on social media or face a lawsuit, had taken the matter to court after he defied their request.
Provoked into commenting
He continues to insist that he was provoked and argues that he is not obliged to retract his views, which went viral on various social media platforms.
“They were bluffing and merely trying to make me become silent, which is a goal they will never achieve in their lifetime,” he said.
“To my understanding, they seem to have little knowledge of the law... their understanding of these things might be limited; whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them," he said.
“I must say, whatever critics say about me stays with them and their cohorts; I don’t have control over what people say about my life or my name. The only control I have is being authentic to my truth and understanding that same-sex behaviour is simply a natural part of our diversity as a species.
“Sometimes people are threatened by gays and lesbians because they are fearing their own impulses," he added.
No comment
The veterans, through their lawyer Slogan Matheus, alleged that the gay rights activist labelled former PLAN combatants as "witches, very stupid individuals whose brains are upside down, backward, good for nothing, and destitute beings who should be expelled from Namibia".
Hamutenya-Jeremiah was allegedly reacting to the veterans’ opposition to gay rights in Namibia – an emotive subject in recent months.
"We hold instructions to advise that the words you have used in the widely circulated video clip and voice recordings are unnecessary and unfortunate. They are blatantly false and harmful to our clients.
"lt demonstrates an acute lack of respect on your part for former PLAN combatants and/or veterans of the liberation struggle of Namibia," the lawyer’s letter, dated 27 July, reads in part.
The veterans accused Hamutenya-Jeremiah of discrediting their "unwavering sacrifices and contributions to the liberation struggle and attainment of the independence of Namibia".
When contacted for comment this week, FPCA chairperson Sinsy Nghipandua refused to respond to questions on the matter.
“Is that your business, and under whose instructions are you enquiring about that?" Nghipandua said.
- [email protected]
He argues they never intended to turn to the court.
Hamutenya-Jeremiah made the remarks earlier this week when asked whether the Former Plan Combatants Association (FPCA), who, through their lawyer, had written to him on 27 July, demanding that he retract the statements he made on social media or face a lawsuit, had taken the matter to court after he defied their request.
Provoked into commenting
He continues to insist that he was provoked and argues that he is not obliged to retract his views, which went viral on various social media platforms.
“They were bluffing and merely trying to make me become silent, which is a goal they will never achieve in their lifetime,” he said.
“To my understanding, they seem to have little knowledge of the law... their understanding of these things might be limited; whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them," he said.
“I must say, whatever critics say about me stays with them and their cohorts; I don’t have control over what people say about my life or my name. The only control I have is being authentic to my truth and understanding that same-sex behaviour is simply a natural part of our diversity as a species.
“Sometimes people are threatened by gays and lesbians because they are fearing their own impulses," he added.
No comment
The veterans, through their lawyer Slogan Matheus, alleged that the gay rights activist labelled former PLAN combatants as "witches, very stupid individuals whose brains are upside down, backward, good for nothing, and destitute beings who should be expelled from Namibia".
Hamutenya-Jeremiah was allegedly reacting to the veterans’ opposition to gay rights in Namibia – an emotive subject in recent months.
"We hold instructions to advise that the words you have used in the widely circulated video clip and voice recordings are unnecessary and unfortunate. They are blatantly false and harmful to our clients.
"lt demonstrates an acute lack of respect on your part for former PLAN combatants and/or veterans of the liberation struggle of Namibia," the lawyer’s letter, dated 27 July, reads in part.
The veterans accused Hamutenya-Jeremiah of discrediting their "unwavering sacrifices and contributions to the liberation struggle and attainment of the independence of Namibia".
When contacted for comment this week, FPCA chairperson Sinsy Nghipandua refused to respond to questions on the matter.
“Is that your business, and under whose instructions are you enquiring about that?" Nghipandua said.
- [email protected]
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