Swapo ‘stone throwers’ in court

THREE Swapo members accused of throwing stones at a vehicle carrying members of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) in Okuryangava on Friday appeared in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Police arrested the three on Friday afternoon close to an area that is allegedly a ‘Swapo gathering place’, where RDP members had trouble two months ago with Swapo members and supporters claiming no other political party may hold meetings there. RDP organiser Sylvanus Reinhold suffered a broken arm in Friday’s attack.He was on a vehicle that drove through Okuryangava to announce the RDP meeting through loudspeakers mounted on the vehicle.According to eyewitnesses, Swapo supporters threw large stones at the vehicle, damaging it and hitting Reinhold and another RDP member, Sackey Amenya, who suffered cuts and bruises.Lawyer Dirk Conradie represented the three men in court yesterday.”They were released on bail of N$1 500 each and the case has been set for October 23, again at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court,” Conradie told The Namibian yesterday.Police cordoned off the flagged Swapo meeting space over the weekend, saying it was off limits for meetings of any political party.RDP Khomas regional organiser Jeremiah Nambinga held a party meeting a few streets further away on Saturday, saying they moved the event on the advice of the Police.RDP administrative chief Libolly Haufiku condemned the stoning.”This is unacceptable and undemocratic behaviour,” he told The Namibian yesterday.”At least justice will now take its course.”RDP organiser Sylvanus Reinhold suffered a broken arm in Friday’s attack.He was on a vehicle that drove through Okuryangava to announce the RDP meeting through loudspeakers mounted on the vehicle.According to eyewitnesses, Swapo supporters threw large stones at the vehicle, damaging it and hitting Reinhold and another RDP member, Sackey Amenya, who suffered cuts and bruises.Lawyer Dirk Conradie represented the three men in court yesterday.”They were released on bail of N$1 500 each and the case has been set for October 23, again at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court,” Conradie told The Namibian yesterday. Police cordoned off the flagged Swapo meeting space over the weekend, saying it was off limits for meetings of any political party.RDP Khomas regional organiser Jeremiah Nambinga held a party meeting a few streets further away on Saturday, saying they moved the event on the advice of the Police.RDP administrative chief Libolly Haufiku condemned the stoning.”This is unacceptable and undemocratic behaviour,” he told The Namibian yesterday.”At least justice will now take its course.”