Amushelelo arrested while leading a nationwide youth againts unemployment protest

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Activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma were arrested by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) on Tuesday at the Katutura Youth Centre while leading a youth national protest against unemployment.

Police Spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed to Nampa on the same day that the duo was arrested for contravening the public gathering Act 23 of 1989, malicious damage to properties, inciting public violence, and contempt of court.

‘Their arrests come after the High Court ruled in favour of the State, declaring that such a demonstration on 21 March 2023 will be illegal and in contempt of court,’ Shikwambi said.

The case, she said was brought before the High Court by the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) who lodged an urgent court application following a directive by NamPol Inspector-General (IG) Joseph Shikongo to have the demonstration rescheduled to another date as it was set to take place on the day of Namibia’s 33rd Independence Celebration.

‘Taking into consideration the national security interests and the fact that the intended peaceful demonstration is set to take place on the day of the country’s Independence commemoration, the IG has reason to believe that the demonstration may cause feelings of hostility between different sections of the population or may compel any person to abstain from doing an act which such person is legally entitled to do, should he not invoke the powers vested in him by Section 3(1) of the Public Gathering Proclamation Act 23 of 1989,’ she said.

The pair is detained at the Otjomuise police station where member of parliament Inna Hengari was also later arrested.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency