Africa-Press – Namibia. CHINESE shops at Oshakati continued to conduct business as usual despite a protest march staged by the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) at Oshakati Friday morning.
Other opposition parties such as the RDP and the PDM as well as individual members of the AR also participated in the protest that attracted about 100 participants.
IPC supporters, who were actively promoting the protest march on social media, appear to have withdrawn their support at the last minute.
The Chinese shops at Oshakati opened late — at around 10:00 instead of the usual 08:00. However, eventually things turned out to be “business as usual”.
The protesters’ main issue is with the “unfair” judiciary and the “discriminatory” Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA).
They allege that NamRA only confiscated counterfeit goods from Namibian traders while pretending not to see counterfeit goods in the Chinese shops.
They are demanding the release on bail of two jailed activists, Dee Nauyoma and Michael Amushelelo.
They are demanding the closure of Chinese owned shops countrywide until such time that the two jailed activists are granted bail.
The protest took its course without incident thanks to the heavy presence of law enforcement agents.
After a noisy protest in front of Chinese owned shops at Okamugongo kAangandjela, the protesters marched down Malakia Nakuumba Street and Okatana Road before congregating at the Etango Complex where they handed over a petition to a female Chinese national identified only as Ela who represented Stina Hu, the owner of the complex.
The petition contains a litany of demands that must be met on or before 31 May.
According to the protesters, Chinese businesses don’t pay tax; don’t use Namibia’s banking system; stock up counterfeit goods and enslave the workers.
They are threatening to close the Chinese shops if no tangible change is recorded by Tuesday next week.
The protest was spearheaded by NEFF parliamentarians Epafras Mukwiilongo and Kalimbo Iipumbu; AR activist Pau Pau, Joshua Nghishiiko of the RDP and Johannes Martin, an MP of the PDM.
“The protest march took its course without incident,” said police regional commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele, as the protesters started dispersing.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
