Africa-Press – Namibia. POLICE chief inspector general Joseph Shikongo is demanding compensation of N$1 million from social activist Michael Amushelelo after the latter allegedly made defamatory statements about Shikongo on social media.
According to court documents filed with the High Court this week, Shikongo says Amushelelo has accused him of abusing his office and has ordered the police to kill him [Amushelelo].
Shikongo says by claiming this, Amushelelo is implying that he [Shikongo] is a killer and should be arrested.
The inspector general said these remarks are defamatory.
Two weeks ago, Amushelelo, through his lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, wrote to president Hage Geingob to demand Shikongo’s suspension after the police chief was involved in a vehicle accident in which three people died.
The deceased are Frans Ndengu, Sofia Ananias (22) and Stefanus Lukas (22).
Shikongo has not been arrested or charged as is the case with any driver who is involved in a car accident which claims lives.
Amushelelo believes a police investigation of Shikongo by his subordinates cannot be fair while he is still at work.
He says if Geingob did not give him a favourable response by 10 February, he would approach the High Court.
Shikongo says the nature and effect of Amushelelo’s “defamatory statements” is that they imply he is a “political stooge who does not apply his mind, but acts only in the interest of the current government”.
He says Amushelelo has portrayed him as a man of no integrity or morals.
Shikongo says Amushelelo’s statements are defamatory and wrongful, and injures his name, dignity, fame, credit and reputation.
He says Amushelelo’s comments had the sole intention to achieve maximum damage and harm to his reputation and dignity, and to unfairly subject him to the court of public opinion.
Earlier this month, Shikongo asked Amushelelo to retract his remarks and apologise to him before or on 14 February, but Amushelelo refused to do so, saying: “I dare you to drag me to court, Shikongo. If you have b*lls, which I honestly doubt you have.”
Shikongo says Amushelelo’s statements have caused him reputational damage and injury to the amount of N$1 million.
If he wins the case, Shikongo wants Amushelelo to unconditionally retract his statements and unconditionally, unreservedly and genuinely apologise to him within five days of the court order.
If he fails to do so, the amount for damages would be increased to N$1,2 million.
Amushelelo did not respond to a text message sent to him yesterday.
However, Amoomo posted on social media yesterday that Shikongo is suing Amushelelo for N$1 million.
“We will be defending this case in the High Court,” Amoomo said.
CALL TO SUE SHIKONGO
Gideon Peneyambako, a sister of Sofia Ananias yesterday said the affected families are considering suing Shikongo for allegedly causing the death of their family members.
“We want to know why he did not visit the families. Is the president aware of what Shikongo has done? Is he going to be suspended or what will happen to him? When is he [Shikongo] coming to see the families?” Peneyambako asked.
She said the family is unhappy about the inspector general suing Amushelelo.
‘BRING BACK OUR BROTHER’
About a week ago, siblings of the late Frans Ndengu, who also died in a car accident involving the police inspector general, said Shikongo should bring back their brother.
They were reacting to the news that Shikongo wanted to sue Amushelelo.
Ndengu’s siblings, Fillemon, Esther and Nabot Ndengu says Amushelelo has been tasked by their family to fight for them.
“If Shikongo wants to sue, he should not sue Amushelelo, he should sue the family. We will give him N$1 million, but when he comes to get his money, he must bring our brother along,” Esther said.
Contacted for comment yesterday Shikongo said he did not want to comment on the matter as it is not in his hands any more.
He said he is in contact with some of the affected families.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
