Stefanus Nashama
Political activists, Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma were acquitted of all charges after seven months by Magistrate Linus Samuzala at the Katutura Magistrate Court yesterday.
Magistrate Samuzala cited the poor quality of evidence presented by the state, noting that Amushelelo had been continually incarcerated since his arrest on 21 March this year.
He was arrested alongside Nauyoma and Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari.
The evidence provided by the complainant, Chief Inspector Frederick Ndjatila of the Namibian Police Force, who was the state’s key witness, was deemed immaterial by the Magistrate.
Magistrate Samuzala also dismissed oral evidence given by other police officers who testified as state witnesses, pointing out contradictions in their statements.
Throughout the trial, the state summoned eight witnesses to testify; all were members of the police force.
The trial faced interruptions, notably when electricity went out in the courtroom during proceedings. Expressing his frustration, Amushelelo’s legal representative, Kadhila Amoomo, remarked: “The case cannot proceed due to a sudden power outage at the Katutura Magistrate Court. We are here with our client and will provide updates.”
Amushelelo’s wife, Julieta, saw the power outage as yet another delay in her husband’s trial, questioning the repeated disruptions: “Why does something unexpected always happen when my husband’s trial is about to conclude?”
She referred to an incident the previous month when the police mistakenly brought Amushelelo to the wrong court, resulting in the trial’s postponement.
“Dear Namibians, don’t be surprised if the Court decides to postpone the trial to another day,” Julieta said following the power outage.
While Nauyoma had been released on bail, Hengari’s charges were dropped at the beginning of the trial.
