Judge Hoff's judgement disappoints
I WOULD like to express my disappointment and dismay through your newspaper regarding the ruling for the Caprivi 13 accused by Judge Elton Hoff.
Judge Hoff's ruling on the 13 demonstrated to the nation that the
judiciary system in Namibia is in the wrong hands.
These judges are really against our Government and the interests
of the Namibia nation.
If we look at this issue critically, the judgement was well
orchestrated to be interpreted as if the Government did not follow
whatever rules or procedures should be followed.
But, in fact, Judge Hoff knew about the alleged crimes committed
by the 13 and also (possibly) knew that the State wouldn't release
them due to the type of crime they have allegedly committed.
He formulated it (the ruling) in such a way as to allow the
state to re-arrest them, creating room for 'reactionary
institutions' (sic.) to cry foul about the judiciary system, and
painting Namibia as a country which does not respect its own
laws.
This is not the case at all.
The charges remain: the accused allegedly planned and declared
war against the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
Where we supposed to sit back with our tails between our legs,
while our hard-earned peace is being disrupted and our country
being destabilised? We all know the results of war - the disruption
of the well-earned peace, destruction of property, loss of life,
hunger, poverty and other setbacks.
Those who wanted to secede the Caprivi had misguided objectives,
were driven by selfishness and hunger for political power and they
- if found guilty - should rot in jail.
The security forces should be commended for swift action and the
job well done.
They have sent a clear message to would-be terrorists that
Namibia is a well-protected democratic country and whoever tampers
with her sovereignty will feel the wrath of the Namibian law.
Namibians! Are we allowing ourselves to be fooled by these
individuals who sit in our own courts, passing judgements that are
against the interests of our nation, and, at the end of the day,
misguided elements within our community call it a court order.
Whose interest does the so-called court ruling serve? What made
the 13 accused leave the country under the cover of the night? Who
invited them to the neighbouring countries were they were hiding?
If they had a genuine cause, why didn't they hand themselves over
to the authorities of the countries in which they were hiding? But
were Judge Hoff and his court blind and deaf the day when the 13 -
that some international laws and procedures guiding the extradition
were not adhered to.
Which procedures did the 13 follow when they allegedly carried
out their attack at Katima Mulilo? Why should we follow some
procedures by bringing misguided elements to be tried back home?
Who is he (Judge Hoff) to determine the fate and the interest of
the Namibian nation?
(Under the Namibian Constitution, the accused is innocent until
proven guilty in a court of law. This letter has been shortened and
edited to avoid libellous statements and possible contempt of
court. Words like 'terrorist' should be reserved for persons
convicted - not suspected - of certain crimes - Ed.)
Jordan Atshipara Windhoek
Address supplied
These judges are really against our Government and the interests of
the Namibia nation.If we look at this issue critically, the
judgement was well orchestrated to be interpreted as if the
Government did not follow whatever rules or procedures should be
followed.But, in fact, Judge Hoff knew about the alleged crimes
committed by the 13 and also (possibly) knew that the State
wouldn't release them due to the type of crime they have allegedly
committed.He formulated it (the ruling) in such a way as to allow
the state to re-arrest them, creating room for 'reactionary
institutions' (sic.) to cry foul about the judiciary system, and
painting Namibia as a country which does not respect its own
laws.This is not the case at all.The charges remain: the accused
allegedly planned and declared war against the Government of the
Republic of Namibia.Where we supposed to sit back with our tails
between our legs, while our hard-earned peace is being disrupted
and our country being destabilised? We all know the results of war
- the disruption of the well-earned peace, destruction of property,
loss of life, hunger, poverty and other setbacks.Those who wanted
to secede the Caprivi had misguided objectives, were driven by
selfishness and hunger for political power and they - if found
guilty - should rot in jail.The security forces should be commended
for swift action and the job well done.They have sent a clear
message to would-be terrorists that Namibia is a well-protected
democratic country and whoever tampers with her sovereignty will
feel the wrath of the Namibian law.Namibians! Are we allowing
ourselves to be fooled by these individuals who sit in our own
courts, passing judgements that are against the interests of our
nation, and, at the end of the day, misguided elements within our
community call it a court order.Whose interest does the so-called
court ruling serve? What made the 13 accused leave the country
under the cover of the night? Who invited them to the neighbouring
countries were they were hiding? If they had a genuine cause, why
didn't they hand themselves over to the authorities of the
countries in which they were hiding? But were Judge Hoff and his
court blind and deaf the day when the 13 - that some international
laws and procedures guiding the extradition were not adhered
to.Which procedures did the 13 follow when they allegedly carried
out their attack at Katima Mulilo? Why should we follow some
procedures by bringing misguided elements to be tried back home?
Who is he (Judge Hoff) to determine the fate and the interest of
the Namibian nation?(Under the Namibian Constitution, the accused
is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This letter has
been shortened and edited to avoid libellous statements and
possible contempt of court. Words like 'terrorist' should be
reserved for persons convicted - not suspected - of certain crimes
- Ed.)Jordan Atshipara Windhoek
Address supplied