Union leader arrested at Walvis Bay

A LABOUR movement leader was arrested at Walvis Bay yesterday morning and charged with inciting public violence.

Benny Petrus, one of the leaders of protesting shebeen owners who camped in front of the National Assembly recently, was arrested in the offices of the Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers’ Union (NASAWU), its Secretary General Erkki Shitana confirmed yesterday afternoon. Petrus, the Second Vice President of NASAWU, later appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court.”The Police came to our Walvis Bay office with a warrant of arrest and took Mr Petrus along to Swakopmund,” Shitana said.”The charge was under the Riotous Assemblies Act of 1956, for inciting public violence according to the warrant.”Petrus is alleged to have made inciting remarks during a shebeen owners’ protest at Swakopmund on June 11.Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb told The Namibian yesterday that he was still waiting for details regarding the case and a press statement would then be issued.Petrus was released on bail of N$5 000 after a brief court appearance and the case was postponed to September 4.In terms of his bail conditions, the NASAWU leader may not make any statements which could be interpreted as threats or incitement against any Government officials.According to the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), the NASAWU leader allegedly received anonymous phone calls, in which he was threatened with arrest.Meanwhile, about 50 residents from the Walvis Bay suburb of Kuisebmond travelled to Swakopmund yesterday and staged a peaceful protest in front of the local Police station.”We want to take Benny Petrus back to Walvis Bay after the bail payment is made,” they said.Petrus, the Second Vice President of NASAWU, later appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court.”The Police came to our Walvis Bay office with a warrant of arrest and took Mr Petrus along to Swakopmund,” Shitana said.”The charge was under the Riotous Assemblies Act of 1956, for inciting public violence according to the warrant.”Petrus is alleged to have made inciting remarks during a shebeen owners’ protest at Swakopmund on June 11. Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb told The Namibian yesterday that he was still waiting for details regarding the case and a press statement would then be issued. Petrus was released on bail of N$5 000 after a brief court appearance and the case was postponed to September 4.In terms of his bail conditions, the NASAWU leader may not make any statements which could be interpreted as threats or incitement against any Government officials. According to the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), the NASAWU leader allegedly received anonymous phone calls, in which he was threatened with arrest.Meanwhile, about 50 residents from the Walvis Bay suburb of Kuisebmond travelled to Swakopmund yesterday and staged a peaceful protest in front of the local Police station.”We want to take Benny Petrus back to Walvis Bay after the bail payment is made,” they said.