Renthia Kaimbi
Businessman Joseph Andreas has launched legal action against two Facebook users, demanding public apologies, removal of social media posts and N$250 000 each in damages over alleged defamation.
Through his lawyers, Afrika Jantjies & Associates, Andreas issued letters of demand on Monday to Kawana Mandume and Nghipundilo ya Shiindi.
The dispute relates to Facebook posts published on or about 15 May, which Andreas says contained false and damaging claims about his character and business affairs.
According to the letters, the posts described Andreas as a “thug” who “parades as a businessman”, a “buffalo with the big stomach from my town” and a criminal who “WILL AND MUST GO TO JAIL”.
The letters also refer to claims that Andreas has “no legitimate business track record” and that “every business he tried has collapsed”.
“These statements, both individually and cumulatively, are wrongful, grossly defamatory, and were published with the direct intention to injure our client’s reputation and dignity,” the letters state.
Andreas, through a public statement, denied all allegations against him.
The statement says Andreas is a self-made entrepreneur and sole beneficial owner of a commercial portfolio valued at about N$250 million.
It also states that Andreas holds an accounting degree from a recognised institution in the United Kingdom and that no court or regulatory authority has ever found him guilty of wrongdoing.
“Your allegations are, to your knowledge, malicious falsehoods. They constitute a direct and unlawful attack on our client’s character, professional standing, and personal dignity,” the letters read.
The documents also refer to the political backgrounds of the two individuals.
“Mandume is a politically active figure with prior public service as a councillor in the Grootfontein Municipality,” the statement says.
“Nghipundilo ya Shiindi is similarly a public figure affiliated with political activities and business ventures within the local commercial landscape.”
Andreas said he operates independently and has no business ties to any political party, government agency or state institution.
He also rejected what he described as a deliberate effort to spread false information about him on social media.
The letters give Mandume and Ya Shiindi seven calendar days to remove the posts, publish unconditional public apologies, stop making further statements and pay N$250 000 each for reputational damage.
“Should you fail to comply fully with these demands within the stipulated timeframe, we hold firm instructions to institute legal proceedings against you in the High Court of Namibia without further notice,” the letters warn.
“Your malicious and unrepentant conduct will be pleaded as an aggravating factor, and we will seek a punitive costs order against you.”
The legal team also reserved the right to pursue criminal defamation charges.
In his public response, Andreas cited Namibian court cases, including Nelumbu v New Era Publication Corporation (2024) and Trustco Group International Ltd v Shikongo (2010), arguing that individuals and media platforms have a duty to verify information before publishing allegations.
The statement says Namibian courts have ruled that publishing unverified or unreliable claims may amount to defamation.
Andreas also outlined his business interests, which include farming, fuel retail, property development, logistics and fisheries.
He said he has served on the board of Gendev Fishing Group since August 2023, where the company employs more than 600 workers.
The statement said recent operational challenges at the company, including a reduction in fishing quotas, resulted from environmental regulations and not misconduct.
“Any claims or insinuations suggesting that these outcomes were achieved through mismanagement, corruption, improper interference, or any other unlawful conduct are entirely false, maliciously motivated, and constitute actionable defamation,” the statement reads.
The statement ends with a call for individuals, media houses and social media platforms to stop spreading the allegations.
“Any continued dissemination of these statements will be treated as reckless, unlawful, and actionable, exposing those responsible to full civil and criminal liability under Namibian law.”
Ya Shiindi told the Windhoek Observer she saw the letter of demand on a WhatsApp group called Debate Room but had not been formally served.
“I’ve seen it in the Debate Room. I don’t know where the individual that shared it got it from or whether he works at that law firm, but he posted it on there and tagged me,” she said.
The Windhoek Observer could not confirm whether Mandume had formally received the letter by the time of publication.
