The Ministry of Safety and Security will have to dig into its coffers once more to pay an inmate N$50 000 after he was assaulted by correctional officers.

The High Court last month awarded Kristof Haufiku this amount for the injuries he sustained after he was attacked by correctional officers on 12 January 2021. 

The incident occurred at the Hardap Correctional Facility in Mariental, where Haufiku is serving his prison term. 

The court concluded there is overwhelming evidence that the injuries Haufiku sustained were consistent with the attack on his left leg after he was hit with a cell door by a correctional officer.

“I further find, based on the evidence, as a result of the assault, the plaintiff (Haufiku) sustained injuries, causing an open wound and swelling to his left leg as well as excruciating pain to the said left leg,” said judge Orben Sibeya in his ruling. 

He said the officer should have known there is a likelihood of Haufiku sustaining injuries when he hit him with a cell door.

Thus, Haufiku is entitled to an award of N$50 000 for the injuries sustained.

This is not the first time the High Court has made an order against the ministry over assault allegations. 

In September 2022, Jane Owoses was awarded N$145 000 after she was assaulted on 2 June 2019 by members of the Namibian Police, Defence Force and Windhoek City Police near her home in Windhoek North. 

Inmate Max Kleopas was awarded N$15 000 in August 2021 after he was assaulted by prison warders on 7 October 2018. 

The court is also dealing with various lawsuits filed by inmates over alleged assaults perpetrated on them by men in uniform.

Last year, inmate Fillipus Aiaseb filed a N$2 million lawsuit against the ministry after he was allegedly assaulted by at least 15 correctional officers on 2 May 2022. 

The incident occurred at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, where he is serving his jail term.

Fabianus Shekunyenge, who is serving a prison sentence for beating his girlfriend to death, is also claiming N$752 000 for having been allegedly assaulted by correctional officers on 13 October 2021.

Moreover, the court is dealing with a N$74 million lawsuit, filed by the president of the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), Werner Januarie, who claims to have been assaulted by police and military officers on 21 August 2020. 

- mamakali@nepc.com.na