WINDHOEK – The matter in which 181 ‘struggle kids’ face charges of trespassing and loitering will proceed in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court today. The matter is scheduled to run from September 3 to 6 and Superintendent Eliaser Iiyambo of the City Police is scheduled to be the next State witness.
Titus Ipumbu, the defence lawyer for the ‘struggle kids’ finished cross-examining the Katutura Police Station Commander, Chief Inspector Ismael Basson, in July, before the matter was remanded.
When Basson testified, he informed the court the ‘struggle kids’ posed no danger to the Swapo Party headquarters, but he added that he received a call from an administrator from the office, whom he could not name but could identify, that the ‘struggle kids’ were at the premises on April 16 at 20:00.
Defence counsel Ipumbu then put it to the police chief inspector that he was not telling the truth to which Basson replied that he was indeed telling the truth. The defence lawyer informed Basson that the only person who can make such a decision is the secretary general of the party, and he is not the administrator. Ipumbu added he was going to call “the administrator” to court to which Basson replied coolly, “You are more than welcome.”
The ‘struggle kids’ are all out on bail, which was set at N$500 in April, then reduced to N$200 in May after most could not pay the bail. Towards the end of May, Magistrate Ivan Gawanab further reduced the bail from N$200 to N$50.
The bail was reduced to N$50 following the intervention of the Ombudsman Advocate John Walters. Walters informed the court earlier that he was approached by Judge President Petrus Damaseb to get involved after the leaders of the ‘struggle kids’ wrote to Damaseb about their plight. Walters explained that the accused could not afford the N$200 bail, and asked Magistrate Ivan Gawanab to release them on a warning. Magistrate Gawanab then reduced their bail to N$50.
The ‘struggle kids’ were arrested in April after they defied a court order barring them from camping at the corner of Leonard Auala and Hans-Dietrich Genscher streets in Katutura next to the Swapo Party head office. The order also stated they may not unlawfully occupy any property belonging to the City of Windhoek. Hans Thourob represents the State in the matter.
By Tunomukwathi Asino