THE National Union of Namibian Workers has urged political analyst Dr Joseph Diescho to drop his lawsuit against the Oshana Regional Council, claiming he must take criticism on the chin because he dishes out the same from time to time.
NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda told a media briefing yesterday that his union was not politically neutral – being an affiliate of Swapo – and thus needed to defend the interests of politicians in the Oshana Regional Council. Diescho has asked the Oshana Regional Council to apologise to him or face a defamation claim of N$250 000.He took the step after the regional councillors boycotted a training workshop arranged by the Office of the Prime Minister because it was to be presented by Diescho and claimed he was not politically the right person because of his “unjustifiably” critical views on the Namibian Government.”We vividly recall how some people, including Professor Diescho, tried to politically ridicule Comrade (Sam) Nujoma after the Swapo Party had fielded him as its candidate for presidency some few years ago.Public lectures were held, unsuccessful as they were, to try and depict Comrade Nujoma as not worthy of a third term as it was called then, disregarding the fact that Swapo as a collective nominated Comrade Nujoma to become Namibia’s president, and that such a move was indeed constitutionally sound,” Kaaronda said.That was done “in the name of academic freedom”, he said.Kaaronda said the NUNW respected other people’s freedom of speech and expected the same of the Oshana Regional Council.When pressed to explain why the NUNW had to issue a statement about the standoff between the regional council and Diescho, Kaaronda said the councillors were “not politically neutral” and it was the umbrella union’s duty to defend them.”He has no divine right to criticise.He was guilty of character assassination.Why should he feel so aggrieved now? What we are saying is that he can sue as he wants but others also have the right to express themselves,” he said.He said the NUNW had always been a social movement union and needed to express its solidarity towards the Oshana Regional Council.”We urge Professor Diescho to cut his losses, if any, and find better wars to fight.This one is certainly a lost one,” he said.Diescho’s lawyers said the Oshana Council had questioned their client’s credibility and standing and that he suffered damages of N$250 000.Kaaronda also charged that Diescho’s fee – N$70 000 for two days – was excessive.He said the Regional Council had the capacity to identify a trainer of choice and should have been consulted by the Office of the Prime Minister before a decision was taken on Diescho’s services.Diescho’s lawyers have called for “an unreserved apology” from the council.The Swapo Party Youth League also sprung to the defence of the Oshana Regional Council, calling on the Swapo leadership to “quantify damages suffered by the party” as a result of criticism levelled against it by Diescho.It also wants an immediate and thorough investigation into how Diescho landed the N$35 000 a day consultation.The Youth League goes on to urge Swapo members to donate a dollar each towards the legal fees of the council to oppose the N$250 000 damages claim.Diescho has asked the Oshana Regional Council to apologise to him or face a defamation claim of N$250 000.He took the step after the regional councillors boycotted a training workshop arranged by the Office of the Prime Minister because it was to be presented by Diescho and claimed he was not politically the right person because of his “unjustifiably” critical views on the Namibian Government.”We vividly recall how some people, including Professor Diescho, tried to politically ridicule Comrade (Sam) Nujoma after the Swapo Party had fielded him as its candidate for presidency some few years ago.Public lectures were held, unsuccessful as they were, to try and depict Comrade Nujoma as not worthy of a third term as it was called then, disregarding the fact that Swapo as a collective nominated Comrade Nujoma to become Namibia’s president, and that such a move was indeed constitutionally sound,” Kaaronda said.That was done “in the name of academic freedom”, he said.Kaaronda said the NUNW respected other people’s freedom of speech and expected the same of the Oshana Regional Council.When pressed to explain why the NUNW had to issue a statement about the standoff between the regional council and Diescho, Kaaronda said the councillors were “not politically neutral” and it was the umbrella union’s duty to defend them.”He has no divine right to criticise.He was guilty of character assassination.Why should he feel so aggrieved now? What we are saying is that he can sue as he wants but others also have the right to express themselves,” he said.He said the NUNW had always been a social movement union and needed to express its solidarity towards the Oshana Regional Council.”We urge Professor Diescho to cut his losses, if any, and find better wars to fight.This one is certainly a lost one,” he said.Diescho’s lawyers said the Oshana Council had questioned their client’s credibility and standing and that he suffered damages of N$250 000.Kaaronda also charged that Diescho’s fee – N$70 000 for two days – was excessive.He said the Regional Council had the capacity to identify a trainer of choice and should have been consulted by the Office of the Prime Minister before a decision was taken on Diescho’s services.Diescho’s lawyers have called for “an unreserved apology” from the council.The Swapo Party Youth League also sprung to the defence of the Oshana Regional Council, calling on the Swapo leadership to “quantify damages suffered by the party” as a result of criticism levelled against it by Diescho.It also wants an immediate and thorough investigation into how Diescho landed the N$35 000 a day consultation.The Youth League goes on to urge Swapo members to donate a dollar each towards the legal fees of the council to oppose the N$250 000 damages claim.
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