Africa-Press – Namibia. Eighteen inmates at the Windhoek Correctional Facility have taken the head of educational services at the facility to court after she allegedly reduced their study hours from six to two per day.
The matter was heard on Monday before Judge Beatrix de Jager.
The applicants are Ujama Tjingee, Weldried Langerman, Kleopas Kapalanga, Dumingu Zuzee Da’Costa, Kassian Mbathera, Licius Hindjou, Nicolaas Josea, Set Alex Awaseb, Carl Cupido, Rodney Shaningua, Heinrich Gomagab, Lazarus Awaseb, Geoffrey Limbo, Rachimo Haradoeb, Kevan Townsend, Manga Challo, Simon Tjooya and Richard Hange.
The applicants, who are enrolled with various tertiary institutions, state in their combined founding affidavit that, while serving their sentences, they have been studying under the supervision of correctional officials and have been allowed to use their computers in the study laboratory, with cameras monitoring them.
“Under this arrangement, we were able to attend recorded classes, conduct academic research, complete assignments and prepare for assessments for approximately six hours per day,” the affidavit states.
However, they claim that the situation changed after a new head of educational services was appointed at the facility in May 2025.
The applicants further argue that a new policy was introduced, preventing inmates from three different security classifications from mixing. “No written directive has been provided to us in this regard, and the alleged segregation continues to be disregarded in other areas of the facility, including industrial workshops and communal areas, where inmates of different classifications interact without incident,” the affidavit reads.
The applicants state that the decision to reduce their study hours was taken without their input and is, therefore, unlawful.
“The reduction of study hours undermines the objectives of rehabilitation and reintegration envisaged by the Correctional Service Act, which actively encourages education and training programmes for offenders,” they argue.
The applicants further claim that the head of educational services, Elisia Haiduwa, repeatedly referred to them as “spoilt” and reminded them that they are prisoners.
They cited Namibia Correctional Service Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela as a respondent.
They claim he had previously allowed them to study but say they “believe he is not aware of the attempts aimed at frustrating” their studies. The inmates further contend that they were not given any written directives regarding the change in study hours.
They argue that they now spend most of the day without access to their study materials, while their courses require ongoing participation, online assessments and assignment submissions.
The respondents are yet to file their replying affidavit.
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