Namibia’s independence leaves rolling scenes of chaos and discontent
Rolling scenes of protest, crackdowns, disorder and arrests have dominated headlines and social media platforms in Namibia as the country hosted the 33rd Independence Celebration at Outapi, in the North Central part of the country.
Young people frustrated with unemployment in the country started marching in Windhoek, from the Katutura Youth Complex, in defiance of a police order. The march has continued as organisers failed in an urgent case in the High Court to assert their right to march.
A special unit of the Namibian Police has cracked down on the protest after the High Court dismissed their case as not urgent. That crack-down has seen the Special Field Force of the police firing rubber bullets and beating protesters as they ordered them to disperse.
Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and Michael Amushelelo have been arrested during the protest. The exact circumstance surrounding their arrest and the reasons remain unclear at this stage. This is the second time both men are arrested together and it comes 10 months after authorities first arrested them for allegedly closing down a Chinese trading area in Windhoek (China Town) on the 12th May 2022.
A first-timer in the hands of authorities is Inna Hengari, who is a Popular Democratic Movement member of the National Assembly. Unconfirmed reports suggest that she has been arrested at a police station in the Otjomuise residential area of Windhoek.
Sources say Hengari attended the police station to give solidarity to the two activists. It is unclear what was said or what she did to land herself behind bars. Her colleague in the PDM, who is on Parlimentary duty in Russia, Vipuakuje Muharukua has condemned the arrest of all three suspects.
More videos making rounds on social media show renowned personality Dillish Mathews sounding out a police officer who has pushed her back after repeatedly ordering her to go in the opposite direction. Another protester is seen rising from the ground and breaking into tears after an encounter with riot police. The protesters maintain that a female riot police officer with the Special Field Force beat their partner without provocation.
The posh event at Outapi has not fared any better. The official program saw the broadcast of two remarks a respected media pundit and presenter had thought were off-air. She was frustrated with a crew member not serving interview guests with water before proceeding to mock the dress code of female backup singers in the ruling SWAPO Party’s music band. The national broadcaster has apologised and undertaken to address the gaffe.
The Outapi event has ended with a chaotic feast for the masses. Elderly women have been seen emptying plates into Tupperware containers and the youth grabbing food from plates, licking catering sets for food and simply just running amok in a tent that had been planned to host very important diners attending the event.
Presiddent Hage Geingob had asked leaders to give up their special lunch for ordinary Namibians. They were gratified dining like their leaders, but their feast proceeded to the end in a very chaotic fashion.
