Windhoek: The High Court has ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to compensate activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukweni Nauyoma for their unlawful detention. The court ruled that Amushelelo should receive N.dollars 300,000, while Nauyoma was awarded N.dollars 80,000.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the activists filed a lawsuit against the ministry following their arrest on March 21, 2023. The arrest occurred during a protest they organized against youth unemployment, which coincided with Namibia's Independence Day celebrations. The protest also involved Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament, Ina Hengari. While Hengari and Nauyoma were released on bail shortly after their arrest, Amushelelo remained in custody for seven months.

The charges against the trio, which alleged defiance of a court order prohibiting the Independence Day protest, were eventually dismissed by Magistrate Linus Samunzala. Despite the acquittal, Amushelelo and Nauyoma pursued legal action for the unlawful detention they experienced.

Their legal representative, Kadhila Amoomo, expressed that the judgment would be reviewed to determine whether an appeal on the compensation amount would be necessary. Initially, Amushelelo sought N.dollars 6 million in damages, and Nauyoma aimed for N.dollars 4 million.