Prosecutor general to decide on torture allegations

Namibia’s prosecutor general is to decide whether to prosecute policemen accused of systematically torturing people suspected of being part of an armed separatist attack in Caprivi almost two years ago, ‘The Namibian’ said on Thursday.

Jackson Tangeni Kuutondokwa, the deputy prosecutor general in Kavango, was quoted as saying that his recommendations were being typed up before being dispatched to Windhoek for Prosecutor General Hans Heyman to decide. “The file is voluminous and we have to go through all the documents,” said Kuutondokwa. Kuutondokwa added that he received 48 complaints with statements from 48 witness. Heyman said he would “critically” look at the controversial case. “I can assure you that I look at these cases with a critical eye because there are [different] sides to the story,” said Heyman. Asked why it was taking so long to decide, Heyman said: “I cannot take a decision if the investigations are not complete.”

According to the newspaper at least 11 people have been accused of perpetrating human rights atrocities. Senior regional police officers, including Chief Inspector Hieronymous Goraseb, are among those whose names have been linked to human rights abuses. The investigation was thrown into disarray when the army said the alleged torturers would be court martialled because the torture took place during a month-long state of emergency administered by Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina.

More than 10 people, including civilians and Namibian security forces, were killed in a 1998 secessionist attack on Caprivi’s regional capital, Katima Mulilo. More than 100 suspected separatists were detained and charged with high treason and murder.