WINDHOEK – The matter in which 181 ‘struggle kids’ face charges of trespassing and loitering will proceed in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court in the next couple of weeks.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on 14 October. Superintendent Eliaser Iiyambo of the City Police is scheduled to be the next state witness when the case resumes. Some of the ‘struggle kids’ were absent from court hence the postponement.
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, following the intervention of Ombudsman Advocate John Walters. Walters informed the court earlier that he was approached by Judge President Petrus Damaseb to get involved in the matter 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, while Titus Ipumbu represents the ‘struggle kids’.
Tunomukwathi Asino