Hertta-Maria Amutenja
President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she lacks direct knowledge of the issues central to the case of the Veterinary Corridor Fence, commonly referred to as the Red Line.
Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday filed an urgent High Court application to set aside a subpoena requiring her to testify in the upcoming trial challenging the legality of the Red Line.
In her founding affidavit, Nandi-Ndaitwah argued that the subpoena, issued on 16 January 2025, constitutes an abuse of court processes.
She contends that the information sought is within the purview of the minister of agriculture, water and land reform.
In her application, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that she had no involvement with the Red Line during her tenure as minister of international relations and cooperation.
She further stated that any trade agreements mentioned in the main action fall under the jurisdiction of the minister of agriculture, water and land reform.
She argued that her attendance at the trial would be unnecessary and burdensome.
Citing section 27(5) of the High Court Act, she requested the court to exercise its power to cancel the subpoena, highlighting that it is neither relevant nor essential to the proceedings.
The trial, scheduled for 20–31 January, centres on Amupanda’s allegations that the Red Line is unlawful and unconstitutional.
Amupanda claims the fence oppresses certain groups based on race, lacks legal sanction, and serves no rational purpose.
The dispute was triggered by the confiscation of Amupanda’s meat by officials of the Meat Board of Namibia, one of the defendants in the case.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has requested the court to hear her application at the commencement of the trial, stating that failure to address the matter urgently would leave her with no remedy.
She is also seeking a cost order against Amupanda.
Meanwhile, Amupanda, who brought the Red Line case to court, took to social media, alleging Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed a South African legal advisor, Marius Boonzaaier, to prevent her from testifying.
“As shocking and surprising as it may be, I must inform you that the vice president of Namibia, Meekulu M’kwanangombe Netumbo Ndemupelila Nandi-Ndaitwah, has appointed a South African extraordinary racist, Marius Gerhardus Boonzaaier, to help stop her from representing the Namibian people in court and telling the truth about secret agreements with Europeans that keep the 1896 colonial Red Line, amongst others,” Amupanda wrote.
He further alleged that Boonzaaier holds discriminatory views, questioning the involvement of a foreign legal advisor in the case.
Amupanda, has indicated his intention to oppose Nandi-Ndaitwah’s urgent application. His legal team, Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, submitted a notice on 19 January.
“Be pleased to take notice that the 1st Respondent (Amupanda) hereby gives notice of his intention to oppose the application filed by the Applicant to set aside the Subpoena,” read the notice.
