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Retail workers’ union calls for Amushelelo's release.
Retail workers’ union calls for Amushelelo's release.

Retail workers' union calls for Amushelelo's release

Elizabeth Kheibes
The Namibia Wholesale and Retail Workers Union (NWRWU) secretary-general (SG), Victor Hamunyela, has called for the immediate release of activist Michael Amushelelo from police custody after he was arrested in March this year.

Amushelelo and others were arrested on charges of public violence, incitement to commit an offence, and violating a court order. The arrests followed an alleged unauthorised demonstration against Namibia's alarming youth unemployment rates.

Hamunyela claimed that, except for the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna), trade unions remained silent regarding Amushelelo's detention, which he found "disturbing".

"It is very disturbing and not in the interest of solidarity that the trade unions in this country opted to go on mute mode except for Tucna to call for the release of comrade Michael Amushelelo," Hamunyela said.

Solitary imprisonment

He added that the unions have failed Amushelelo by "allowing actions by a colonial administration" to continue against "revolutionary Namibians".

Hamunyela said this in connection with the alleged solitary confinement of Amushelelo.

"NWRWU rank and file demand that the solitary confinement system deployed on Amushelelo be discontinued in an independent Namibia," he said.

When contacted for comment, the Windhoek Correctional Facility denied the allegations and said Amushelelo is kept separate from other inmates as he is a "high-profile inmate" and needed to be kept safe.

Unsuccessful court action

The SG said: "We are not convinced that Amushelelo is a threat to the community, hence our demand that he be released and attend his trial from home.”

Amushelelo's appeal to be released on bail on Monday was dismissed by the Windhoek High Court. His lawyers, Kadhila Amoomo, said they would petition the Supreme Court to appeal the decision.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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