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‘Hate Speech’ Accused Walk Free

Home Archived ‘Hate Speech’ Accused Walk Free

By Emma Kakololo

WINDHOEK

Metusalem Matundu and Gerson Ndjavera got off a racism charge when the State yesterday withdrew its case against them.

The duo were last year arrested and charged with offences under the Prohibition of Racial Discrimination Act for having displayed a hand-written placard stating ‘Kill all whites’ at a public demonstration in Windhoek on August 24.

The placard was waved along Windhoek’s Independence Avenue during a demonstration led by Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako.

Yesterday morning public prosecutor Belinda Wantenaar informed presiding magistrate Uatjo Uanivi that the State was no longer proceeding with the case and that the matter be withdrawn against 33-year-old Matundu and Ndjavera (40).

“My clients are relieved, there is obviously no doubt about that,” said their lawyer Kaitjata Kangueehi when approached for comment.

“The matter has taken too long and the State decided to withdraw the case,” he said.

Matundu, also known as ‘Malcolm X’ Matundu, was reported to have admitted to the media that he was the author of that placard.

“I am the authentic author of that placard,” he said.

The march, which was a peaceful demonstration of the Ovaherero-speaking community, was intended to support the reparation demands of the Hereros from Germany over the ruthless quelling of the tribe’s uprising a century ago in which tens of thousands were slaughtered by German colonial troops.

The march apparently also featured dissent against suggestions that Germany should be given a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

However, the particular poster ‘Kill all whites’ which government and civil society condemned overshadowed the whole event.

Yesterday the suspects claimed their N$500 bail money each following the withdrawal of the case.

Had they been found guilty of these offences, they could have been fined up to N$100 000, or up to 15 years’ imprisonment or both.