Hordes of protesters, dressed in Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) and Affirmative Repositioning Movement (AR) red overalls and berets took to the streets of Windhoek on Wednesday, petitioning the alleged importation of counterfeit products by foreigners into Namibia.
The frustrated demonstrators claim this is being done with impunity, as law enforcement agencies only target and raid Namibian shops while turning a blind eye on the businesses run by foreign nationals.
At the heart of their demands is the closure of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), which they claim applies laws selectively.
NamRA’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, must also pack and go, the crowd said.
“[The] Ministry of health can employ him. [We demand] the reduction of senior NamRA officials by 50 per cent…Sam is a murderer, a bloodsucker and an oppressor. Stop hating our local entrepreneurs,” said NEFF deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu to Shivute as he delivered the petition.
Shivute acknowledged the receipt of the petition, vowing to respond in due course.
“My team and I will study the petition and revert,” Shivute said briefly.
The demonstration started in Chinatown, where Iipumbu delivered the first of three petitions to Chinese businesswoman, Stina Wu.
The group then proceeded to the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, where their petition was received by minister Lucia Iipumbu.
The group gave 31 May 2022 as an ultimate for a response, failure to which unspecified action will be taken.
The demonstration comes after NamRA destroyed counterfeit goods valued at over N$5 million last week, causing a public uproar.
The floodgates opened, with NEFF’s economic commissar, Michael Amushelelo, allegedly closing down shops in Chinatown on Thursday, on the grounds that they are a haven for counterfeit goods.
The following morning, Amushelelo handed himself over to the police for charges levelled against him for allegedly inciting violence and looting.
Amushelelo also faces charges of closing down shops in Chinatown the day before.
Later that day, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement activist, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma was also arrested on the same charges.
The two are currently fighting for bail in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
