Secessionist trial for trial next year

The high treason case of the 131 suspects in last August’s Caprivi Strip secessionist violence in northern Namibia will only go on trial next year, ‘The Namibian’ reported on Tuesday.

The accused, who are due to appear in the Grootfontein Magistrate’s court at the end of this month, have been in detention since last August after being refused bail. The newspaper quoted Namibia’s prosecutor-general, Hans Heymans, as saying the state would ask for a postponement when the suspects appear in court.

Heymans said more time is needed to examine violent attacks on the police station in the regional capital, Katima Mulilo, the broadcasting station, the Wenela border post and the Mpacha airport which left about 14 people dead. He added that the police were still collecting evidence on the involvement of 18 Namibians who fled to Botswana in the wake of the attacks. Heymans said, however, that a request to Botswana authorities for the extradition of the 18 suspects - who are reported to be in custody in that country - was not imminent.

The report said Botswana’s Extradition Act required the country requesting extradition to produce a summary of the person’s alleged offences and to provide an outline of the evidence against the person. In addition, Namibia will be required to certify that the wanted suspects will not be charged with political offences.

The accused last appeared in the Grootfontein court on 24 January and are charged with participating in the 2 August attacks at Katima Mulilo or with providing support to the Caprivi Liberation Army (CLA) of Mishake Muyongo.

Muyongo, who fled to Botswana with about 10 other CLA leaders on the eve of the attacks, has since been granted asylum in Denmark together with his deputy Chief Boniface Mamili.