Red line case planning session set
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
A court case in which Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist Job Amupanda is demanding the removal of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) - also known as the red line - will start with case planning on 31 August.
The matter will be heard before Justice Shafimana Uitele, who will determine how the case will proceed.
Amupanda said although shocked by the
regime’s decision, particularly alleged freedom fighters who chose monopoly capital over the people, his lawyer Kadhila Amoomo remains in high spirits and is ready to fight for justice and constitutionalism.
“He informed me this morning that this case, of the 1896 red line, is being managed in the social justice and public interest cluster at Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners.”
Amupanda added that due to the strategic importance of this case, and in consultation with Amoomo, he will soon announce a team that will deal with logistics related to the case - from community coordination and consultation and financial coordination to media and communication.
‘The line will fall’
“I remain resolute and determined in ensuring that the 1896 red line that discriminated the masses of our people for 125 years is ended. I, therefore, assure Namibians - particularly the affected communities from Opuwo to Katima Mulilo, from Omaalala to Ruacana, from Kabbe to Kaisosi, from Tsumkwe to Sesfontein and from Okangwati to Divundu and Bukalo – that freedom is coming and we will put up a brave fight characterised by tactical sophistication, superior logic, black liberation theology, theodicy and philosophy, affirmation of humanity and equality before the law, humanity before profit and indeed 21st century constitutionalism.”
The red line will fall, he added.
Amupanda filed a claim on 26 May, seeking a court order to have the fence removed and declared illegal and unconstitutional.
The defendants in the matter are agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, the government, attorney-general Festus Mbandeka and an official of the directorate of veterinary services, Hango Nambinga.
In his claim, Amupanda insisted that the court order the agriculture ministry to remove the fence within 90 days.
He further asked the court whether the red line was sanctioned by any laws, as he feels “such laws violate the dignity of Namibians, are discriminatory and unconstitutional”.
Draconian
Amupanda described the VCF as a brutal, shameful and draconian policy seeking to sustain discrimination of people residing north of the red line.
According to him, the fence was erected to act as a shield and to insulate people who reside south of the red line and their livestock from perceived or actual diseases which emanate from those north of the red line and their livestock.
WINDHOEK
A court case in which Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist Job Amupanda is demanding the removal of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) - also known as the red line - will start with case planning on 31 August.
The matter will be heard before Justice Shafimana Uitele, who will determine how the case will proceed.
Amupanda said although shocked by the
regime’s decision, particularly alleged freedom fighters who chose monopoly capital over the people, his lawyer Kadhila Amoomo remains in high spirits and is ready to fight for justice and constitutionalism.
“He informed me this morning that this case, of the 1896 red line, is being managed in the social justice and public interest cluster at Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners.”
Amupanda added that due to the strategic importance of this case, and in consultation with Amoomo, he will soon announce a team that will deal with logistics related to the case - from community coordination and consultation and financial coordination to media and communication.
‘The line will fall’
“I remain resolute and determined in ensuring that the 1896 red line that discriminated the masses of our people for 125 years is ended. I, therefore, assure Namibians - particularly the affected communities from Opuwo to Katima Mulilo, from Omaalala to Ruacana, from Kabbe to Kaisosi, from Tsumkwe to Sesfontein and from Okangwati to Divundu and Bukalo – that freedom is coming and we will put up a brave fight characterised by tactical sophistication, superior logic, black liberation theology, theodicy and philosophy, affirmation of humanity and equality before the law, humanity before profit and indeed 21st century constitutionalism.”
The red line will fall, he added.
Amupanda filed a claim on 26 May, seeking a court order to have the fence removed and declared illegal and unconstitutional.
The defendants in the matter are agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, the government, attorney-general Festus Mbandeka and an official of the directorate of veterinary services, Hango Nambinga.
In his claim, Amupanda insisted that the court order the agriculture ministry to remove the fence within 90 days.
He further asked the court whether the red line was sanctioned by any laws, as he feels “such laws violate the dignity of Namibians, are discriminatory and unconstitutional”.
Draconian
Amupanda described the VCF as a brutal, shameful and draconian policy seeking to sustain discrimination of people residing north of the red line.
According to him, the fence was erected to act as a shield and to insulate people who reside south of the red line and their livestock from perceived or actual diseases which emanate from those north of the red line and their livestock.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article