13 separatist suspects lose case in Botswana

The Gaborone Magistrate’s Court ruled on Thursday that 13 Namibians facing high treason charges back home be extradited, ‘The Namibian’ reported.

Magistrate Anna Mathiba’s ruling ended a year-long court battle for the group alleged to have been involved in an armed uprising to force the Caprivi region’s independence from Namibia.

The report quoted a senior legal officer in Namibia’s Justice Ministry as saying that the men had 15 days from Thursday to lodge an appeal with the High Court of Botswana. It said the men had been in custody in Botswana since Namibia’s extradition request was filed last August. They initially numbered 15, but Devil Moa Kabo died late last year and Joseph Mulife Muchali, left Botswana before the extradition proceedings got off the ground, the report said.

Richard Musupali Sithali, Ivan Masole Kakena, Puteho Obbicious Matengu, Danbar Tumisa Muswena, Chris Samuele Mushanana, Francis Kavetu Karufu, Claasen Johan Kawana, Thaddeus Muzamai, Mutoiwa George Kabuko, Samulandela Kennedy Telamo, Jones Brownson Kache, Alfred Kakena Likunga and David Nalisa Mumbone were expected to face charges of high treason and of the illegal possession of a range of firearms and ammunition on their return to Namibia, the report said. In addition, Sithali and Kakena were set to face charges of murder for their alleged involvement in the death of Caprivi Liberation Army deserter Victor Falali in October 1999.

Botswana Assistant Attorney General Lizo Ngcongco, who steered the extradition application through the court, was quoted as saying from Gaborone that Mathiba was not convinced of the group’s claim that they would be persecuted if they returned to Namibia. The magistrate also said she was satisfied that the evidence put before the court indicated there was a prima facie case against the men, according to Ngcongco.