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 CanadaA 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