Africa-Press – Namibia. Disgruntled Keetmanshoop community members in the ||Kharas region marched on Monday to protest against police brutality.
They marched under the leadership of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters.
The protest follows the death of Elleste Plaatjies (31) last week on Wednesday after members of the Special Reserve Force of the Namibian Police reportedly fatally assaulted him.
In a petition handed over to the state prosecutor at the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court, NEFF commissar for economic development Michael Amushelelo said the protection of human life in Namibia is being taken lightly and this was evident from how the courts easily grant bail to those accused of murder.
Amushelelo said the courts value animal life more than human life and this is why those accused of stock theft are often denied bail, but those accused of murder are granted bail.
“We demand the refusal of bail so that this sends a robust warning to all uniformed members of the Namibian Police that police brutality against unarmed civilians will not be tolerated in a democratic society that values and cherishes human life,” said Amushelelo.
More than 300 community members turned up for the protest to stand in solidarity with the family of the deceased, and with the hope to deter further fatal incidents against community members.
The accused Mulisa Bernard (30) and Wilbard Neshuku (25) appeared in court thereafter and were refused bail.
The case was postponed to 30 January for further investigation and for the accused to obtain legal representation. They appeared before magistrate Lischen Konjore while prosecutor Lewis Chigunwe appeared for the state.
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