Hinda sues Amupanda for N$1m

MATHIAS HAUFIKU WINDHOEKDeputy finance minister Maureen Hinda is suing Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda for N$1 million over a social media post which she claims portrayed her as an “uncouth woman of loose morals during the liberation struggle”.In court papers filed by her legal team on 29 October 2021, Hinda said she suffered damages amounting to N$800 000 as a result of the alleged defamatory post, hence she wants to be paid N$1 million.In July last year, Amupanda posted an image of a woman on his Facebook page with the caption: “Deputy minister of finance Maureen Hinda during the liberation struggle. Maureen was so wizwiz. It’s like she won’t think twice about taking a knife out” [sic].Hinda’s case joins a list of prominent public and social personalities such as Sakeus Shanghala, First Lady Monica Geingos, Alois Gende and Betty Siteketa who approached the courts for relief after they were allegedly defamed - by Amupanda, Abed Hishoono, Anna Hakusembe and Immanuel ‘Imms’ Nashinge respectively.Justice minister Yvonne Dausab also threatened to sue Landless People’s Movement leader Henny Seibeb for defamation last year.Freedom of speech is one of the most significant legal and political challenges policymakers and the courts face, with the debate on what constitutes freedom of speech increasingly finding itself at the crossroads of constitutionally protected liberties accorded to citizens to express themselves freely and government’s commitment to ensure that the law provides sufficient protection against defamation.Public figures have, however, felt that the populace tend to abuse freedom of speech provisions, with many claiming that some remarks border on hate speech.Amupanda’s controversial post, which drew hundreds of comments at the time, irked Hinda, and the MP sought legal relief with the courts.Tribal stereotypes“The post and the statement are wrongful and defamatory of [me]. The post and statement were made with the intention to defame,” Hinda claimed in court papers.She also mentioned that the post was understood by members of the public to mean that she [Hinda] was the woman in the picture during her younger days.She also claimed that the post portrays her as having been a ‘street girl’ who was ‘fight-ready’ and that she “fits the stereotype in that she, being Damara, would not hesitate to stab anyone”.The deputy finance minister further claimed that the post paints her as a person of no integrity who is violent and capable of causing anyone bodily harm.The post, according to Hinda, makes her look like she is not a law-abiding citizen, lacking moral fibre and not capable of being trusted with public office.“Notwithstanding due demand, the defendant has failed, neglected and or refused to apologise to the plaintiff and has to date not removed the post from his Facebook account,” she said.Amupanda, through his lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, in November 2021 gave notice to defend the matter.Apart from the N$1 million payment, Hinda wants an annual 20% interest to be calculated from the date of judgment until final payment. ‘I rejected her’Hinda remained tight-lipped when contacted yesterday, saying “the matter is before the courts for now”.Amupanda said Hinda is not the first - nor the last - to sue him.“Kadhila is dealing with that matter. We already filed a notice to defend that nonsensical case. Some of the things I posted are those she told me herself when I was part of the [Swapo Party] Youth League and she used to invite me to lunch.“She is angry because I rejected her advances because I am generally opposed to sugar mommies. She has little understanding of law. I understand her background is cooking,” he added.“Politicians must grow a thick skin. Those who cannot stand the dynamics of politics must become bishops,” Amupanda said yesterday.The matter has been set down for mediation.The former mayor is not new to cases of this nature. In 2017, he was sued for defamation by Shanghala for N$500 000 over social media posts which stated that the latter was “an epitome and symbol of corruption in Namibia”.The duo eventually settled the matter out of court the following year.

Hinda sues Amupanda for N$1m

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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Hinda sues Amupanda for N$1m

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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