Rudolf Gaiseb
Acting High Court Judge Anne-Doris Hans-Kaumbi on Monday evening granted the National Youth Council (NYC) interim board an interdict against youth leaders William Minnie, Julia Nekwaya and Jafet Amakali.
The application was filed on an urgent basis by NYC chairperson Beverly Silas, its director Dominic Mukumba, and the sports ministry. It comes on the heels of the protest at the NYC headquarters last Friday.
The order restrains the Landless People’s Movement’s Minnie, Popular Democratic Movement’s Nekwaya, youth leader Amakali, and all other protestors from “disturbing the operations of the NYC, restricting access to the premises for the NYC staff, and intimidating staff of the NYC.”
Last week, the protesting mob sought the closure of the NYC office.
The order states that a copy of the interdict will be posted at the entrance of the NYC premises, located at 36 Pasteur Street in Windhoek West.
Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo was ordered by the court to take steps to ensure the enforcement of the order.
It is effective, pending the final determination of the matter.
Unshaken
During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Minnie revealed that 222 young people, representing affiliate youth organisations and regional youth forums, gathered at the Rietfontein Training Centre for the 3rd General Assembly (GA) of NYC in December 2024. They accredited and successfully concluded elections for members of the board and the executive chairperson.
“We are aware that the minister, at the time, attempted to direct the halting of that GA. However, to date, no formal notice was provided by the minister to us, the voting members of the general assembly. Therefore, the minister’s unilateral appointment of an interim board undermines this democratic process of the 3rd GA, and violates the autonomy of the NYC as provided by law,” the outspoken Minnie said.
While the matter remains before the courts, aggrieved youth leaders believe the interim board should not be anywhere near the NYC’s affairs. “We cannot pretend that its outcomes have no bearing on the institution, its governance and its operations. For this reason, we will continue to follow the proceedings and, likewise demand that the minister respect the court’s decisions to maintain a status quo where the board of directors elected in December 2020 remains in office until the final determination of the court,” Minnie said.
They are set to hold a peaceful protest and submit a petition to the Office of the Prime Minister soon.
“During this protest, we intend to continue demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the interim board, and the reinstatement of the board of directors elected in December 2020 until the final determination of the court. Alternatively, we demand that the minister concedes in the motion proceedings instituted against her, and appoints the persons elected during December 2024 to the board of the NYC,” he stated.
“Protracted legal proceedings do not serve young people. If the minister cares for the development of young people, she will concede and appoint the persons who were elected during the 3rd GA. This will not only save State resources, but will also ensure that the NYC can continue with its programming,” he added.
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