Political Activist and Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) member, Michael Amushelelo, was detained at Walvis Bay police station on Friday morning following a protest at the town.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Erongo Commander for Community Affairs, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, confirmed the incident, noting that Amushelelo was charged with failing to comply with instructions of an authorised traffic officer, obstructing or interfering with an authorised officer in the performance of any function and willfully or unnecessarily preventing the free and proper passage of traffic at the town.

He will appear in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The activist was leading a protest against two Shoprite managers who, according to NEFF, should be fired following the suicide of the 25 year-old Fabiolla Zondjembo.

It is alleged that Zondjembo, who committed suicide by drowning in the sea at the Independence Beach in Walvis Bay last week, endured emotional and verbal abuse at work.

The protest, which commenced on Thursday at the town, ended in the detainment of the activist, as well as the police firing rubber bullets in order to disperse the protesters who had followed Amushelelo to the police station.

The employees, in a petition to addressed Shoprite, demanded for the dismissal of the two managers or the closure of the supermarket if the managers are not dismissed.

“[The] Management of Shoprite Namibia should address and implement a Healthy Workplace Policy and avoid “abusive conduct”, which would end repeated verbal abuse in the workplace,” the petition said.

Meanwhile, the NEFF’s Walvis Bay Branch also condemned the alleged ill-treatment of employees at workplaces and also demanded for the Shoprite Group of Companies to take action.

(NAMPA)

Source: The Namibian Press Agency