Abolish presidential immunity – Amushelelo

Economic activist Michael Amushelelo, on behalf of unemployed and impoverished Namibians under the banner of the Black People Economic Emancipation Association, has petitioned government to reform the current legislative system that has left ordinary Namibians out in the cold while only the political elite benefit from its resources.

According to him, their demands are genuine and should be acceded to with immediate effect, as they will no longer stand by and watch while their wealth is controlled, enjoyed and held by a few white monopoly capitalists.

“We demand the abolishment of Article 31 which speaks on the immunity of the president from civil and criminal proceedings. If presidents steal, loot or mismanage public funds they should be punished just like any other ordinary citizens.

“We will and should not allow ‘Animal Farm’ tendencies where some animals feel they are more important than others.”

Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma yesterday led a group of youths to Windhoek’s Zoo Park where they handed over a petition to the executive director of parliament, Lydia Kandetu, saying Namibians are tired of begging.

‘Sold us out’

“We are here today to unmask the lie that has been told to our people for the past 32 years. The truth is that our freedom fighters sold us out for their own selfish gains. That is why today it is only the political elite and well-connected who are enjoying our country’s wealth.

“They get all the lucrative government tenders. They get all the fishing quotas. They get all the ministerial positions.

“They get all the key positions in state-owned enterprises. They get all the mining exploration licences. They get all the farms,” Amushelelo said.

According to him, there is an urgent need for economic emancipation for those oppressed, excluded, exploited and subjugated by colonial and apartheid white supremacy.

Mineral resources

The group also demanded the beneficiation and processing of all the natural mineral resources for the establishment of new industries and employment creation opportunities for Namibians, stressing that beneficiation should happen in the communities where the minerals are found.

“We demand the immediate amendment of Article 16 of the Namibian Constitution to make provision for the expropriation of property without compensation, particularly land, for equitable redistribution in the interest of the Namibian people.

“We demand that all productive land must be nationalised to grow our food production sector; in order to ensure that as a nation we become self-sufficient in food production so that no Namibian dies from hunger while we have productive land.”

Nationalise the banks

They also handed over a petition at the Bank of Namibia (BoN), where they said banks operating in Namibia are actively involved in facilitating the systematic drain of profits from the country to other parts of the western world, including South Africa.

According to Amushelelo, it is clear that the central bank has been captured by white monopoly capital, and that’s why “they allow the plunder our economy by these banks to drain profits out of our country”.

“We know very well that the black CEOs has no power and is merely there to sell the lie and make it seem like blacks are in charge while the truth is that they are just puppets performing for their white masters.”

The group further demanded urgent development and implementation of corporate social investment plans, which will bring about real value and benefit to communities, as well as a comprehensive financial report for over 100+ foreign loans accumulated in the last eight years.

They also want a report on the N$8.1 billion borrowed for Covid-19 and the terms and conditions of that particular loan.

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