Leave to Appeal and SWAPO's Demo in Caprivi
ALLOW me to comment on the Supreme Court of Namibia granting permission for the State to appeal and on the SWAPO's "Puppy Brigade"-led demonstration in the Caprivi Region.
The Supreme Court has spoken loud and clear! A High Court ruling in
the treason case has been overturned - allowing the State leave to
appeal.
A remarkable turn of events.
A victory for the prosecution team or the beginning of a
nightmare in Namibia's legal history? Its just hard to pin-point
which is which.
It was a game of ping-pong - a defeat for Namibia's treason
suspects or is it the tearing up of Namibia's Constitution in broad
daylight?
Simply put, the High Court ruling was ignored and nothing
changed for the Caprivi 13.
With a number of misdirected moves by the Government on new
charges - withdrawals - release - arrest and re-re arrests, what a
confusing and traumatising experience - if not a shameful tactic by
those who should uphold the law.
Indeed, a test cases for Namibia's "ever-ungrowing democracy" as
well as a test of the impartiality and independence of Namibia's
judiciary system.
The Supreme Court ruling has a painful story to tell: Namibia's
High Court rulings in favour of the Namibian treason suspects had
triggered and disturbed Namibia's political elite - who felt
personally offended by the High Court ruling, as was demonstrated
by personal attacks levelled against the Judge.
Judges are human beings like us who can feel the political
pressure and intimidation against them as a people - while
executing their public duties.
Real threats, guarantees of a job, personal security and a
family to feed can equally play a greater role when faced with
life-threatening decisions.
It's not a fairy tale! Zimbabwean judges had faced persecution
after having ruled against the Mugabe regime - during the war vet's
invasion of white farms.
A number of judges lost their jobs - due to political pressure
and frustration - where their rulings and court orders were treated
as a joke by Mugabe's security forces and party members.
Terror, bloodshed and death were the price paid by those who
thought the law could still protect them.
It remains true that you cannot bite the hand that feeds
you.
It had all become a tug of war! The High Court ruling versus The
Political Sentiments and Emotions.
As was the allegedly instigated demonstration over the Caprivi
13 allegedly led by a Government Minister.
Unfortunately, this only proves that Namibia needs political
education as part of the school curriculum - otherwise we are
headed for a big showdown - were indoctrination and brainwashing
will corrupt and mislead our children.
No one has the right to force another person to partake in a
demonstration against their will.
Like the so-called SWAPO "puppy brigade" went on a rampage
closing shops and intimidating employers to let their employees
join a political demonstration.
Not only that, but forcing children aged 7 to be part of such a
demonstration schools were literally closed by the "puppy
brigade"
What a disgrace!
Parents have a responsibility to protect their children and the
right to take such social misfits to court - so are the employers
who suffer loss because of such backward and barbaric actions.
Its about time Namibian citizens exercised their rights and not
let ill-informed and misguided people have the upper hand.
It is to this I say - Namibia's political hopefuls who still
play "bush politics" characterised by acts of violence,
intimidation, harassment and character assassinations are lucky to
be in Namibia, because in a civilised and democratic country,
trying the same dirty tricks would lead straight to jail.
Ignorance is no excuse for the law.
Joseph Mulife Muchali
Canada
A remarkable turn of events.A victory for the prosecution team or
the beginning of a nightmare in Namibia's legal history? Its just
hard to pin-point which is which.It was a game of ping-pong - a
defeat for Namibia's treason suspects or is it the tearing up of
Namibia's Constitution in broad daylight?Simply put, the High Court
ruling was ignored and nothing changed for the Caprivi 13.With a
number of misdirected moves by the Government on new charges -
withdrawals - release - arrest and re-re arrests, what a confusing
and traumatising experience - if not a shameful tactic by those who
should uphold the law.Indeed, a test cases for Namibia's
"ever-ungrowing democracy" as well as a test of the impartiality
and independence of Namibia's judiciary system.The Supreme Court
ruling has a painful story to tell: Namibia's High Court rulings in
favour of the Namibian treason suspects had triggered and disturbed
Namibia's political elite - who felt personally offended by the
High Court ruling, as was demonstrated by personal attacks levelled
against the Judge.Judges are human beings like us who can feel the
political pressure and intimidation against them as a people -
while executing their public duties.Real threats, guarantees of a
job, personal security and a family to feed can equally play a
greater role when faced with life-threatening decisions.It's not a
fairy tale! Zimbabwean judges had faced persecution after having
ruled against the Mugabe regime - during the war vet's invasion of
white farms.A number of judges lost their jobs - due to political
pressure and frustration - where their rulings and court orders
were treated as a joke by Mugabe's security forces and party
members.Terror, bloodshed and death were the price paid by those
who thought the law could still protect them.It remains true that
you cannot bite the hand that feeds you.It had all become a tug of
war! The High Court ruling versus The Political Sentiments and
Emotions.As was the allegedly instigated demonstration over the
Caprivi 13 allegedly led by a Government Minister.Unfortunately,
this only proves that Namibia needs political education as part of
the school curriculum - otherwise we are headed for a big showdown
- were indoctrination and brainwashing will corrupt and mislead our
children.No one has the right to force another person to partake in
a demonstration against their will.Like the so-called SWAPO "puppy
brigade" went on a rampage closing shops and intimidating employers
to let their employees join a political demonstration.Not only
that, but forcing children aged 7 to be part of such a
demonstration schools were literally closed by the "puppy
brigade"What a disgrace!Parents have a responsibility to protect
their children and the right to take such social misfits to court -
so are the employers who suffer loss because of such backward and
barbaric actions.Its about time Namibian citizens exercised their
rights and not let ill-informed and misguided people have the upper
hand.It is to this I say - Namibia's political hopefuls who still
play "bush politics" characterised by acts of violence,
intimidation, harassment and character assassinations are lucky to
be in Namibia, because in a civilised and democratic country,
trying the same dirty tricks would lead straight to jail.Ignorance
is no excuse for the law.Joseph Mulife Muchali
Canada