Sorensen charged under racism law

By: DENVER KISTING

PROPERTY developer Vincent Sorensen yesterday heard that he will face four charges, including inciting racial disharmony, in a trial in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court next year.

The first charge, inciting racial disharmony, which is a charge under the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act, stems from Sorensen allegedly calling businessman Desmond Amunyela a “little k–r sh–t” on February 15 2011. Sorensen allegedly also told Amunyela: “You f–ing k–r, you think you have arrived? No wonder this country is f–d up.”
The alleged incident took place in an upmarket restaurant in the capital.
Allegedly referring to founding Ppresident Sam Nujoma, Sorensen allegedly said that Amunyela’s head was barely sticking out of Nujoma’s backside.
Sorensen also faces a charge of crimen injuria for allegedly intentionally injuring and insulting and impairing Amunyela’s dignity by allegedly swearing at him and using obscene language on the same occasion.
The third charge which Sorensen faces is bribery. It is alleged that on the next day, February 16 2011, Sorensen offered Amunyela N$250 000 in cash and N$3 million payable over three years “as a full and final settlement as a fee, gift or reward with the intent to induce Desmond Amunyela to drop criminal charges”.
Sorensen is also charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The property developer will go on trial in the Magistrate’s Court between June 3 and 6 2013.
Public Prosecutor Hendricks Tholiso represented the State during yesterday’s proceedings before Magistrate Jermaine Muchali.
Irvin Titus of Koep & Partners acted on behalf of Sorensen.
Late last year, Amunyela dragged AroVin to court for N$1,4 million, which Amunyela claims is owed to him in compensation for a property deal in 2007.
Amunyela, an executive director at Paragon Investment Holdings, said he facilitated a deal for a Kleine Kuppe property in 2007 for AroVin – an outfit jointly owned by Sorensen and Aaron Mushimba. Sorensen paid N$700 000 to Amunyela in March last year after the two met following an allegedly racist incident in a local restaurant.
Sorensen stated in court documents last year that he made the payment after Amunyela had promised to withdraw criminal charges against him.
Sorensen further claimed that Amunyela undertook to use “his newspaper”, the Windhoek Observer, to try and restore Sorensen’s name.
But, according to Sorensen’s latest affidavit, it appears that Amunyela had no such plans and in fact allegedly wanted to extort more money from him.
For his part, Sorensen is suing Amunyela, Windhoek Observer, New Era and four journalists for N$750 000 for alleged defamation.

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