PRESS RELEASE



A deliberate attempt late last Friday jointly by the ruling Swapo Party and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to create a ‘hostage’ scene at Liberty Center, NSHR HQ, and thereby to frame NSHR, dismally backfired on its perpetrators.

At the center of the incident was none other than Swapo Party activist Sackey Shanghala. Mr. Shanghala is a well known personal aide to Swapo Party Secretary General Mme Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana. Mme Iivula-Ithana, who is also Namibia’s Justice Minister, is violently opposed to NSHR.

Shortly before 17h00 on November 27 2009, a woman who was later known as Elizabeth Loss and an unidentified male companion arrived at Liberty Center to hand-deliver a letter from ECN Chairperson Victor Tonchi. The document, which is addressed to NSHR executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh, regards a hearing scheduled for Saturday, November 28 2009, at 09h00. In terms of Section 52C of the Electoral Amendment Act 2009 (Act 7 of 2009) ECN can withdraw and or suspend NSHR accreditation status only after a fair and lawful hearing.

Since ya Nangoloh was not present, the NSHR personnel at Liberty Center refused to sign receipt of Tonchi’s letter on ya Nangoloh’s behalf. So, Ms. Loss was told either to wait until the arrival of ya Nangoloh, return later that day or on Monday, November 30 2009. This apparently angered Ms. Loss who then refused to identify herself and to fill in the Visitor Register Database (VRD) form at the reception.

The NSHR personnel repeatedly requested to Ms Loss to “please” fill in the VRD form. However, Ms. Loss refused. As a result, the NSHR security personnel also refused to let Ms. Loss and her male companion to leave the premises unless and until she fills in the VRD form.

Soon thereafter an aggressive and discourteous Shanghala, speaking to ya Nangoloh on the phone from the offices of Mr. Tonchi, claimed that the NSHR personnel were “holding ECN officials hostage” at Liberty Center. Shanghala then threatened unspecified measures against ya Nangoloh and also to report the “hostage taking” to the Namibian Police.

Unfazed by the Swapo Party activist’s irresponsible utterances, ya Nangoloh told Shanghala that he was free to do whatever he wished in his power, including reporting the matter to the Police. However, ya Nangoloh assured Shanghala that he will immediately enquire and revert back to Shanghala soon thereafter. When ya Nangoloh phoned to Liberty Center to enquire about the alleged hostage taking, he was told that Ms. Loss not only behaved rudely but also refused to sign the mandatory VRD form. She was told that only ya Nangoloh may exempt anyone from filling in the VRD form.

Upon his arrival at Liberty Center at approximately 17h10, ya Nangoloh explained to Ms. Loss that it was normal procedure and mandatory that all and any visitor to all NSHR offices countrywide must sign the VRD form. He then requested Ms. Loss to “please” sign the form and hereafter she can immediately leave the premises as she wished.

Ya Nangoloh also explained to Ms. Loss that alternatively, she and her driver would be charged with illegal entry and trespassing and dealt with accordingly. However, acting on telephone instructions from Shanghala, Ms. Loss categorically refused to sign the VRD form, upon which was told that she and her male companion would not be allowed to leave the premises.

At approximately 17h15, Shanghala and an identified woman showed at Liberty Center and demanded to enter the premises. Their demand was denied.

Soon thereafter Commissioner Samuel Hoebeb, Officer Commanding the Namibian Police in the Khomas Region, arrived. Commissioner Hoebeb was accompanied by a platoon of at least 10 Task Force Police officers and other unidentified state agents in civilian clothes. Commissioner Hoebeb was immediately allowed entry to NSHR premises while his entourage waited outside.

After hearing NSHR’s side from Mr. ya Nangoloh, Commissioner Hoebeb advised Ms. Loss to obey NSHR instructions about signing the VRD form. In the meantime at least two senior G4S security officers, acting on NSHR instructions, also arrived at Liberty Center and told Ms. Loss to sing in the VRD form or else she would be handcuffed. Ms. Loss finally signed in the VRD form and she and her male companion were immediately escorted from the premises.

The so-called hostage taking was therefore over. The whole drama was video-filmed by NSHR security personnel and interested parties may view the unedited video at a Press Conference yet to be convened.

NSHR