Stefanus Nashama
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) says it has spent thousands of dollars on all criminal cases that the party’s Commissar on Economic Development, Michael Amushelelo is facing, and that it will continue to do so.
The party’s President, Epafras Mukwiilongo told the Windhoek Observer in an interview yesterday that the organisation is taking care of all the legal fees the member is facing.
“The party is in connection with the lawyers representing his cases, and it will get him released from jail. We have spent a lot of money on his cases. We are still together with him. All his cases are funded by the party,” he stressed.
He indicated that the party knows what it is doing by fighting for him, and it will not abandon him and the cases he is facing.
He also stated that the party along with Amushelelo are together with the lawyers and the family.
“By the grace of God, he will be released from jail,” he stressed.
Amushelelo is facing multiple cases, including the latest one of contempt of court, in that he organised and spearheaded a protest on 21 March 2023, despite a high court ruling stating otherwise.
Amushelelo was arrested on Independence Day along with Parliamentarian, Inna Hengari and social activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma.
Hengari and Nauyoma were each granted bail in the amount of N$5 000 while Amushelelo was denied bail.
His formal bail application has since been rejected by the state. He is scheduled to appear in the high court for an appeal, later this month.
Mukwiilongo said that members of the NEFF were instructed by their lawyers to wait and be vigilant.
“We wanted to demonstrate peacefully against the continued incarceration of Amushelelo, but the lawyers said we should wait because the matter is still before the court. We will still pay for his legal costs no matter what it will take,” he said.
He added that no one came forward to assist with funds for Amushelelo’s legal fees and added that the party has been standing in because of their full commitment to their member.
“The party will fight for his right to freedom. He has done nothing for him to be kept in jail. He was fighting for other young people. This is not good at all,” he said.
Mukwiilongo said the government should know that it is not good to arrest people demonstrating for their rights.
He added that this issue will one day bring about chaos in the country when young people get tired.
“We do not what chaos in this country. The leaders of this country should respect the rights of these people,” he said.
He also said the party is not quiet about Amushelelo’s arrest.
“It is only that we were instructed by the lawyers to wait. We will never surrender to this. We will get it right,” he added.
One of Amushelelo’s legal representatives, Kadhila Amoomo said the team will continue to fight for this his release from custody and added that the public will be briefed on the party’s next step.
