EFF drags Geingob into Amushelelo saga
Opposition activist goes on hunger strike
The Julius Malema-led party accused the Namibian leader of a "propensity for criminality", citing his alleged role in the Phala Phala saga.
South Africa’s third largest political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), yesterday accused Namibian courts of succumbing to political pressure by denying Michael Amushelelo bail, and attacked President Hage Geingob for ‘criminality’ and human rights abuses.
In a statement, EFF accused the Namibian government of political persecution against Amushelelo, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) commissar who has been in jail since March for leading a march against youth unemployment.
“It has become evident that the judicial system in Namibia is being influenced by certain individuals who wield political power and are determined to inflict hardship on Amushelelo due to his outspoken stance and his willingness to courageously address those in positions of authority.”
The Julius Malema-led party then turned its attention to Geingob, accusing him of having a role in the abduction, apprehension and torture of suspects in the Phala Phala saga, which saw South African president Cyril Ramaphosa losing millions of dollars during a daring break-in in early 2020.
Ramaphosa sent his chief of security Wally Rhoode to Namibia after the robbery, leading to the arrest of the alleged kingpin of the saga, Immanuel David, weeks later.
No man’s land
Rhoode, in affidavits that have since become public, confirmed meeting Geingob in June 2020 in the company of South African presidential envoy Bejani Chauke.
He also confirmed travelling to Windhoek in a Namibian Police helicopter after a meeting at no man's land near the Naskop border post.
Two weeks after the meeting with Geingob, David was arrested in Windhoek.
Geingob previously denied using Namibian institutions and public resources to help Ramaphosa in the matter.
Referring to the Namibian head of state, the EFF said: “His role in the Phala Phala saga clearly shows his propensity for criminality and violating domestic and international laws for personal and political interest”.
Geingob’s spokesperson Alfredo Hengari did not respond to a request for comment on the comments.
‘If I die...’
Amushelelo yesterday announced that he is on a hunger strike to force his release.
"If I have to die to get my freedom, so be it. The way I see it, the government can start preparing my release from prison or preparing my death certificate...," he said in social media post.
His wife, Julieta Amushelelo, confirmed the authenticity of the post.
"I tried to talk him out of it [hunger strike], but once he's made up his mind, there's nothing I can do."
Justifying his decision, Amushelelo said: "... I came to the realisation that my life means nothing. If my life meant anything, there would be thousands of people every day outside the prison gates demanding my release. Because I was abandoned by the people, I have no choice but to fight for my own freedom.
“Due to my limited options in prison, I have to undergo the inhumane process of self-torture, as it is the only way within my reach to fight for my own freedom."
Let us know
However, according to the warden at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, deputy commissioner Veikko Armas, officers at the prison have not yet been informed of Amushelelo's hunger strike.
"A prisoner who wants to go on a hunger strike must make their intentions clear to us so that we can take them to a doctor to see if they are physically fit enough to go on a hunger strike. After that, they are placed in a separate cell so that they can be monitored continuously by the nurse on duty at the facility," Armas said.
Julieta added that her husband is only seeking justice.
“He feels that the public has abandoned him and as if he has no other option. He feels as if he has fought for the people, but the people are not willing to fight for him," she said.
Amushelelo's appeal against a magistrate's court decision to refuse him bail was rejected by judges Naomi Shivute and Philanda Christiaan just over a month ago.
This follows a ruling by Judge Christie Liebenberg, in connection with his involvement in protests at Windhoek’s Chinatown, that Amushelelo would not be granted bail if he were to become involved in another protest action.
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In a statement, EFF accused the Namibian government of political persecution against Amushelelo, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) commissar who has been in jail since March for leading a march against youth unemployment.
“It has become evident that the judicial system in Namibia is being influenced by certain individuals who wield political power and are determined to inflict hardship on Amushelelo due to his outspoken stance and his willingness to courageously address those in positions of authority.”
The Julius Malema-led party then turned its attention to Geingob, accusing him of having a role in the abduction, apprehension and torture of suspects in the Phala Phala saga, which saw South African president Cyril Ramaphosa losing millions of dollars during a daring break-in in early 2020.
Ramaphosa sent his chief of security Wally Rhoode to Namibia after the robbery, leading to the arrest of the alleged kingpin of the saga, Immanuel David, weeks later.
No man’s land
Rhoode, in affidavits that have since become public, confirmed meeting Geingob in June 2020 in the company of South African presidential envoy Bejani Chauke.
He also confirmed travelling to Windhoek in a Namibian Police helicopter after a meeting at no man's land near the Naskop border post.
Two weeks after the meeting with Geingob, David was arrested in Windhoek.
Geingob previously denied using Namibian institutions and public resources to help Ramaphosa in the matter.
Referring to the Namibian head of state, the EFF said: “His role in the Phala Phala saga clearly shows his propensity for criminality and violating domestic and international laws for personal and political interest”.
Geingob’s spokesperson Alfredo Hengari did not respond to a request for comment on the comments.
‘If I die...’
Amushelelo yesterday announced that he is on a hunger strike to force his release.
"If I have to die to get my freedom, so be it. The way I see it, the government can start preparing my release from prison or preparing my death certificate...," he said in social media post.
His wife, Julieta Amushelelo, confirmed the authenticity of the post.
"I tried to talk him out of it [hunger strike], but once he's made up his mind, there's nothing I can do."
Justifying his decision, Amushelelo said: "... I came to the realisation that my life means nothing. If my life meant anything, there would be thousands of people every day outside the prison gates demanding my release. Because I was abandoned by the people, I have no choice but to fight for my own freedom.
“Due to my limited options in prison, I have to undergo the inhumane process of self-torture, as it is the only way within my reach to fight for my own freedom."
Let us know
However, according to the warden at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, deputy commissioner Veikko Armas, officers at the prison have not yet been informed of Amushelelo's hunger strike.
"A prisoner who wants to go on a hunger strike must make their intentions clear to us so that we can take them to a doctor to see if they are physically fit enough to go on a hunger strike. After that, they are placed in a separate cell so that they can be monitored continuously by the nurse on duty at the facility," Armas said.
Julieta added that her husband is only seeking justice.
“He feels that the public has abandoned him and as if he has no other option. He feels as if he has fought for the people, but the people are not willing to fight for him," she said.
Amushelelo's appeal against a magistrate's court decision to refuse him bail was rejected by judges Naomi Shivute and Philanda Christiaan just over a month ago.
This follows a ruling by Judge Christie Liebenberg, in connection with his involvement in protests at Windhoek’s Chinatown, that Amushelelo would not be granted bail if he were to become involved in another protest action.
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