Usakos activist held

USAKOS community activist and leader of the Concerned Group at Usakos, Daniel Stramis (24), was detained overnight by Police at the town on Saturday and questioned on allegations of trespassing.

Police Spokesperson Sergeant James Matengu yesterday confirmed Stramis’s detention, but said he had been released by late yesterday afternoon. Matengu said no formal charges had been laid against the activist.Stramis has been at the forefront of community demonstrations against corruption at the town in recent months.The National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) yesterday alleged that Stramis was detained because of his outspoken opinions about mismanagement within the Usakos Town Council.Last week, Stramis voiced his community’s dissatisfaction that a study loan of N$15 000 had been granted to Town Treasurer Chris Shivolo a month after Shivolo took up the position.Stramis is the manager of the Together Kindergarten founded in 1989, which caters for about 70 children from disadvantaged families.According to NSHR representatives at the town, Stramis was accused of trespassing on the kindergarten premises which on a plot donated by the municipality.”It is clear that there are political motives to the way Stramis has been arrested,” Ya Nangoloh alleged. “This is not a coincidence.”Matengu said no formal charges had been laid against the activist. Stramis has been at the forefront of community demonstrations against corruption at the town in recent months. The National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) yesterday alleged that Stramis was detained because of his outspoken opinions about mismanagement within the Usakos Town Council. Last week, Stramis voiced his community’s dissatisfaction that a study loan of N$15 000 had been granted to Town Treasurer Chris Shivolo a month after Shivolo took up the position. Stramis is the manager of the Together Kindergarten founded in 1989, which caters for about 70 children from disadvantaged families. According to NSHR representatives at the town, Stramis was accused of trespassing on the kindergarten premises which on a plot donated by the municipality. “It is clear that there are political motives to the way Stramis has been arrested,” Ya Nangoloh alleged. “This is not a coincidence.”