Ongwediva
Oshiwambo filmmaker Jekonia Akuunda, popularly known as Ndjeke, was suspended from the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement recently following the unlawful arrest of two of its members.
It is alleged that Akuunda, who was previously active in the movement in the north, accused Paulus Paulus and Herman Amutenya of robbing him of about N$7 600.
The duo was granted bail of N$1 000 each after spending 10 days behind bars at the Oshakati police station holding cells where Ndjeke had opened a case of theft.
Part of their bail conditions includes not interfering with the complainant or coming in close proximity with the complainant, hence his suspension from the movement.
“We have activities lined up, and since he (Ndjeke) and the suspects cannot be in one place at the same time we thought it best to suspend Ndjeke,” said one AR leader in the north.
A letter seen by New Era addressed to Akuunda from the AR leadership read: “Affirmative Repositioning is a movement for unity of purpose and restoring dignity of our people, therefore the movement would like to enlighten you that as from today (27 January 2016) you are pendant from all AR activities and errands.”
“Furthermore you are requested to detach yourself from AR events neither to correlate with AR coordinators till ancillary notice,” the AR letter further stated.
According to those in the know Akuunda was not robbed of the money as he claims nor was he assaulted with a screwdriver – “that is all false” revealed a source.
It is alleged that prior the duo’s arrest Akuunda and the suspects met at game complex on a Wednesday to resolve a matter which Akuunda allegedly needed advice on.
In a twist of events, Akuunda, the suspects and a witness sat in his car when he allegedly started insulting them leading to one of the guys slapping him.
He called the police, but when the police arrived he changed the story and informed the police that he called them because there were Zimbabweans selling pirated CDs.
However, two days after the slapping, the duo was arrested on charges of robbery.
According to the source, in the false statement given to the police Akuunda allegedly accused the two of robbing him.
In addition, he further told the police he was struck with a screwdriver while under his car. He alleged he went under his car to seek refuge from the suspects.
“He even told the police that he called the police while under the car,” revealed the source further.
It is alleged that Akuunda attempted to collude with one of the AR supporters to con the suspects out of N$30 000.
He apparently informed the AR supporter who is also a witness in the case that the suspects should pay him N$30 000 for humiliating him in front of his fans.
“When he saw that I was against the idea, he threatened to lay a charge against me if I interfered with his plan. He attempted adding me to the charges but he failed,” revealed another source.
When Akuunda was first contacted for comment he referred the journalist to Job Amupanda, however he later made contact to utter derogatory statements and asked for the story not to be written.
Amupanda could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was off.
The suspects confirmed the incident, but would not shed further light citing it might interfere with the investigation.