Independence Is A Fallacy
By: B P Noriega WindhoekI HAVE been following the rhetoric concerning the issue of the so-called independence of different commissions, for example the Electoral Commission of Namibia, the Judiciary, etc. The issue that these commissions are independent is a fallacy.
This is in response to the fact that the Law Society and the Judiciary do not want to be criticised despite the fact that its members have been acting to the contrary and have been found wanting. For example, a woman’s house was sold in Gobabis and another in Mariental when known lawyers colluded. The same person from Gobabis violated the Land Reform Act by selling two farms disguised as a loan agreement. What did the Law Society and the Judiciary do about it? NOTHING.
It is just the same in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Judges and lawyers who helped find Cde Jacob Zuma not guilty, are now being appointed to higher courts. In Zim, lawyers and judges who help the government to persecute farmers are also getting posts and farms.
It is true lawyers, judges and magistrates do sit on cases in which they might have direct or indirect benefits. Anyone who doesn’t believe this could be living in another world (maybe Somalia or Afghanistan).
Society needs to confront all social evils without fear of anyone.
Am not writing to attack individuals but I know the truth hurts but the message gets home.