JUSTICE | The High Court has ordered suspended Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to compensate activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma for their arrests, detention and prosecution following an anti-unemployment protest in Windhoek in 2023.

In a judgement delivered on Wednesday, the court awarded Amushelelo N$300,000 and Nauyoma N$80,000 in damages, while also ordering the government to cover their legal costs.

The pair were arrested during a demonstration against unemployment which was held on Independence Day in 21 March 2023, after the protest was cancelled by police.

In his response, lawyer Kadhila Amoomo who was representing the duo described the ruling as a “watershed judgement” for the constitutional right to assemble and protest in Namibia.

Reporter: Patience Makwele
Photo: Contributed