Judiciary condemns attack on magistrate

THE Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia has condemned a recent petrol-bomb attack on the house of Magistrate Thomas Kanime at Ongwediva.

The association called upon magistrates and judges to continue fearlessly carrying out their duties. “We call on all our members to remain steadfast and to continue carrying out their constitutional mandate, to fearlessly administer justice to all persons without favour or prejudice and in accordance with the laws of Namibia despite intimidations from some people in society,” the association said in its press statement.”The members of the Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia have learnt with great shock and disbelief that an unknown person or persons threw petrol bombs into the residence of our member Thomas Kanime, the District Magistrate of Oshakati,” the statement read.The Association said the governance of the Namibian nation is based unshakably on the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as entrenched in the Constitution.It further stated that respect for human rights and the rule of law depended largely on the existence of an independent and vibrant judiciary, which is uninfluenced by external pressures and fearlessly applies the law equally to all.”An independent judiciary is at the very core of our national life,” the statement said.The association added that the peace and security enjoyed in Namibia would become vulnerable if the judiciary was threatened.”We call on all our members to remain steadfast and to continue carrying out their constitutional mandate, to fearlessly administer justice to all persons without favour or prejudice and in accordance with the laws of Namibia despite intimidations from some people in society,” the association said in its press statement.”The members of the Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia have learnt with great shock and disbelief that an unknown person or persons threw petrol bombs into the residence of our member Thomas Kanime, the District Magistrate of Oshakati,” the statement read.The Association said the governance of the Namibian nation is based unshakably on the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as entrenched in the Constitution.It further stated that respect for human rights and the rule of law depended largely on the existence of an independent and vibrant judiciary, which is uninfluenced by external pressures and fearlessly applies the law equally to all.”An independent judiciary is at the very core of our national life,” the statement said.The association added that the peace and security enjoyed in Namibia would become vulnerable if the judiciary was threatened.