News and Information
Pandemonium in the Grootfontein Treason Trial:
August 12, 2005
Pandemonium in the Grootfontein Treason Trial:
By FANUEL SIUNDUMA
The Caprivi treason trial in Grootfontein has once again attracted attention of both the local and international media. There has been what one could describe as pandemonium in this case. This has come about as result of the fact that about 15 treason trial suspects stated categorically clear, that their case was not a criminal one but a Political case. They also questioned the court’s jurisdiction over them, as they were being tried in a foreign country ( Namibia) when they should have been tried in the Motherland ( CAPRIVI ZIPFEL), if at all they have committed a crime. This pronouncement led to the 15 loosing their Legal representatives and being forcefully dragged into court room against their Will, which indeed is torture including making a mockery of them by allowing state informers who pose as witnesses to humiliate them.
The withdrawal of the defense lawyers from representing the 15 is a clear testimony to the fact that they pay allegiance to the Namibian government. It is therefore safe to call them messinary lawyers because they are there to get instructions from government instead of their clients. Their actions come as no surprise because the government of Namibia was fully responsible for their engagement as well as their payments. However it should be clearly stated here that the truth always liberates and makes minds free. It is a well known fact that historically, culturally, linguistically and otherwise Caprivians are a different people separate from Namibia, it therefore goes without saying that the 15 and all their imprisoned colleagues are not Namibians.
The 15 and all their colleagues currently detained in Grootfontein and Mariental have been charged with one primary charge TREASON. There is no where in the world where treason is described a criminal offence, but the world will learn it for the first time in Namibia. To cite a few examples the former South Africa President Dr Nelson Mandela was charged with treason and was sentenced as a political prisoner in Reuben Island, after having indicated that the ANC case was a political case. Another example worthy mentioning is that of Herman Toivo ya Toivo, who also mentioned that Swapo was fighting for the liberation of South West Africa. He was eventually imprisoned in Reuben Island as apolitical prisoner charged with treason. Both ANC and Swapo committed other offences other than treason but given the magnitude of treason all the other minor charges fell off when sentencing political prisoners. The outgoing Namibian president Sam Nujoma in his biography (p.78) he categorically state that they refused to accept white lawyers to represent them, as a result engaged Oliver Tambo to represent them instead.
The Namibian constitution makes a provision for the offenders to get a legal council of his or her choice. This means that Caprivians who are currently appearing before Judge Hoff are unconstitutionally forced to appear before the judge and also their representation is a forced one.
It is a well known fact that historically, culturally, linguistically and otherwise Caprivians are a different people separate from Namibia, it therefore goes without saying that the 15 and all their imprisoned colleagues are not Namibians. The action of the judge of forcing the 15 to cross question the state made witnesses was not only uncalled for but was also unconstitutional, given the magnitude of the charges leveled against them and the constitutional requirements. The judge of all people should have realized the reasonableness of their argument, that in any legal proceedings where fairness lead to fair justice.
It is surprising that the international community seems to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the events that are happening in Namibia. The international community knows as we do that treason is a political offence. The fact that Caprivians have been charged with treason it means that their case is a political one, which needs a political solution. We would like to call upon all peace loving organizations such as international and local human rights organization, all Ecumenical organizations, United Nations, the African Union and its peace and security commission, African parliament and finally all peace loving states to come in the open and pronounce themselves on the Caprivi issue. Caprivians from all walks of life, not only those who are in prisons or those in exile suffer heavily at the hand of the Namibian regime. People are disappearing some forced to give false evidence against fellow Caprivians with a view to incriminate them.


Source: www.caprivifreedom.com


    Support Caprivi Freedom
Fill out the form below to become a member of this site and receive our regular newsletter.

First Name
Last Name
Email
Password