Stefanus Nashama
The fight for the removal of the veterinary cordon fence, also known as the red line, by Affirmative Repositioning Leader Job Amupanda continues in the Windhoek High Court, with the matter being postponed to 29 June 2023.
Yesterday, Amupanda’s Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo told this publication shortly after he appeared in court that the case was pushed for the hearing for leave to appeal by the Meat Board of Namibia and for protective cost by Amupanda. About two years ago, Amupanda dragged government to the High Court, charging that it is hypocritical for it to stand in his way when senior figures from the same government, including President have placed it on record that the redline must be removed.
He is suing amongst others, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein in his official capacity.
Amupanda says he believes the existence of the redline also known as the veterinary cordon fence is irrelevant in an independent Namibia. Amoomo said the redline is, was and continues to be used as a segregation tool between those who reside in the northern and those in the southern.
“We want to travel with our own meat products from north so we feed our families and children in Windhoek,” he said.
The red line is a stock disease control mechanism that protects Namibia’s beef exporting industry from stock diseases such as foot and mouth and lung sickness. It was established and implemented during the colonial era and it is believed to be used as a hammer of repression against the people living north of it.
Many Namibians have questioned why the red line allows meat from the South to the North and not vice versa.
Amupanda stated that the removal of the red line is in the best interest of the majority of Namibians, who currently pay exorbitant prices for meat products.
Last year, Amupanda said he is prepared to sacrifice everything he has amassed if it is what it takes to remove the veterinary cordon fence.
“I will never withdraw, even if I have to sell everything I have in my lifetime, it will be removed. Even if I am 90, I will be fighting for its removal. My children cannot suffer the same way,” he said.
He also expressed that it was shameful for a freedom fighter to be fighting to keep the red line in place.
Previously, the government respondents argued there was no pressing public interest to resolve the constitutionality of the continued use of the veterinary cordon fence to control animal health.
It is alleged that Amupanda has asked Windhoek High Court Judge Shafimana Uietele to protect him from costs should he fail in his challenge to have the redline removed.
The Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka and an official from the directorate of veterinary services Hango Nambinga and the Meat Board of Namibia have also been cited as respondents.
Efforts to get comments from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry proved futile.
