Wendelinus sued N$1.5m for calling war veterans ‘promiscuous witches’

Former People&#039;s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatants are threatening to sue former Mr Gay Namibia Wendelinus Hamutenya-Jeremiah for N$1.5 million for allegedly calling them sexually promiscuous and witches, among other labels of disapproval.The war veterans claim the insults and accusations were made by Hamutenya-Jeremiah in a viral video he allegedly posted on social media platforms, including TikTok and Facebook.The veterans, through their lawyer Slogan Matheus, alleged that the gay rights activist labelled former PLAN combatants as witches, “very stupid individuals whose brains are upside down”, backward, good for nothing and destitute beings who should be expelled from Namibia.He was allegedly reacting to the veterans’ opposition to gay rights in Namibia – an emotive subject in recent months amid a push to criminalise ‘advocacy’ and ‘propagating’ for same-sex marriages.‘Blatantly false’“We hold instructions to advise that the words you have used in the widely circulated video clip and voice recordings are unnecessary and unfortunate. They are blatantly false and harmful to our clients. "lt demonstrates an acute lack of respect on your part for former PLAN combatants and/or veterans of the liberation struggle of Namibia,” the lawyer’s letter, dated 27 July, reads in part.The veterans accused Hamutenya-Jeremiah of discrediting their “unwavering sacrifices and contributions to the liberation struggle and attainment of the independence of Namibia”.Hamutenya-Jeremiah’s remarks were not factual and were demeaning, malicious, defamatory and unlawful, the veterans argued, adding that their reputation, dignity and esteem were injured.“Our clients are humiliated and degraded by your statements, and are now subjected and exposed to ill-will, ridicule and disesteem in society, and being stigmatised and ostracised as witches as a result of your defamatory statements,” the lawyer wrote.Apologise, or elseThe veterans demanded an unconditional retraction of the statements and the permanent removal of the video clip and voice note recordings from all social media platforms.They also demanded that Hamutenya-Jeremiah unreservedly apologise within three days of receiving the lawyer’s letter.“Take notice that our further instructions are that, failing the above within the prescribed period, to proceed without any further notice to yourself to institute legal proceedings in the High Court of Namibia for a defamation action and claim damages from you in the amount of N$1.5 million.”Not your punching bagReacting to the legal threats, Hamutenya-Jeremiah said: “All the videos I made about the ex-combatants were fair comment and the truth, as each and everyone has the right to freedom of speech. "After all, their anti-gay rants are well-known and well-publicised all over their anti-gay WhatsApp groups”.He added that he is not a ‘punching bag’ and will not be silenced. “I am waiting [for] their letter and court date so I smash them in the court like an elephant smashing a squirrel or mouse.”

Wendelinus sued N$1.5m for calling war veterans ‘promiscuous witches’

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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Wendelinus sued N$1.5m for calling war veterans ‘promiscuous witches’

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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