Amushelelo fined N.dollars 5 000 for contempt of court

WINDHOEK, 09 APR (NAMPA) - Acting Windhoek High Court Judge, Anne-Doris Hans-Kaumbi on Wednesday fined activist Michael Amushelelo N.dollars 5 000 or alternatively six months imprisonment, after finding him guilty on a charge of contempt of court.
Judge Hans-Kaumbi also sentenced Amushelelo, 34, to a suspended two-year incarceration, on the condition that he is not found guilty of a similar charge in the future.
His arrest follows remarks he made towards judicial officers in court, calling them “puppets, who believe they are little gods”. He further referred to the court as a “circus”.
He was appearing before court in an urgent application lodged by Namibian Police Force Inspector General Joseph Shikongo in his personal capacity. In that matter, Shikongo was suing Amushelelo for contempt of court, after he allegedly posted his picture and made remarks about him (Shikongo), going against a court order that was issued last year.
While Amushelelo initially stood by his statements against judges when questioned on Monday by Judge Hans-Kaumbi, he expressed remorse on Wednesday and pleaded for a lenient sentence.
He testified that with his background as a political activist and a lay person, he was unaware of the type of language to use in court.
“My lady, as I said, being a lay litigant and coming from an atmosphere which is political, we call each other all sorts of rhetoric. Perhaps I did not understand the manner of language to use in court,” Amushelelo remarked.
He further informed the court in mitigation before sentencing about his responsibilities as a father to a nine-year-old daughter and the sole provider for his elderly parents. He also mentioned his five siblings and that he currently lives alone with his three dogs, two of which are puppies.
“They are sort of my children now. With my incarceration, I do not know their status and I fear for their lives,” he told the court.
Amushelelo further revealed that he is unemployed and lives off donations from good Samaritans, suggesting a fine of N.dollars 300.
During sentencing, Hans-Kaumbi ruled that the sentence imposed on Amushelelo was not meant to punish him personally, but to deter him and would-be offenders.
(NAMPA)
EB/ND/AS