Government misses Caprivi deadline

The Namibian government yesterday missed a 14-day constitutional deadline by failing to release the names of more than 200 suspects detained in connection with the separatist attack two weeks ago on the Caprivi town of Katima Mulilo. NDF Chief of Staff Major-General, Martin Shalli, told a media briefing on Monday afternoon that the names would be published in a Government Gazette before the end of the day in line with the constitution. However, according to 'The Namibian', by the time government offices closed at 17h00 Monday, the Ministry of Defence had not yet released the Gazette which was supposed to have been drafted and issued by the Ministry of Justice. The Namibian constitution states that "not more than fourteen (14) days after the commencement of their (the detainees') detention, a notification shall be published in the Gazette stating that they have been detained and giving particulars of the provision of law under which their detention is authorised." Emergency laws faces challenge The imposition of the state of emergency throughout Namibia by the security forces, will be challenged in the Namibian High Court, 'The Namibian' reported on Tuesday. According to the report lawyers representing two men detained under the state of emergency, are asking the court for an interdict to limit the regulations to the Caprivi Strip only. Attorney General Vekuii Rukoro told 'The Namibian' that "long arm" of the state of emergency in the Caprivi could reach beyond the region. He said that the emergency regulations which had been issued to "be applicable in, and with respect to, the Caprivi Region", could also be used to act against separatist suspects who might be in other parts of Namibia. Elections possible in early December Namibians are likely to go the polls in early December, news reports said on Tuesday. According to the reports, 2 December as been tipped as the most likely date, but President Sam Nujoma would announce a final date on 8 October. John Rukambe, the Elections Director was quoted as saying that an estimated 800,000 Namibians were expected to vote in the country's third presidential and general elections.