Covid-ignoring protesters to face the law
“What happened at the governor’s office in Rundu should not repeat itself,” Ndeitunga said.
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga has sent out a stern warning to future organisers of protests during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying they will be charged and prosecuted if health protocols are not followed.
The order has been extended to all regional commanders to implement with immediate effect.
Ndeitunga made the remark after a recent protest in Rundu in the Kavango East Region, which saw health measures being disregarded.
The demonstration, which took place last Tuesday, was in protest against the appointment of a Chinese businessman as the exclusive advisor to Kavango East regional governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo.
The 50 people per gathering regulation was not taken into consideration, while social distancing was not observed and some protestors were spotted without face masks.
Organisers, police to blame
When asked why the police did not act at the protest, which happened in full view of law enforcement, Ndeitunga conceded that both the organisers and the police are to blame for what transpired in Rundu last Tuesday.
“What happened at the governor’s office in Rundu should not repeat itself, particularly in the eyes of the police and organisers. It was total negligence on the part of the police, the organisers and the citizens themselves,” he said.
“First we have to warn them and tell them to comply with the health protocol immediately. If they are refusing, then we charge them. That is the procedure of the law.
“When the police are escorting or are near the protest, they should observe whether the people are complying with the health protocol. The organisers should also ensure that the health protocol is observed.”
Ndeitunga said he has sent these instructions to all regional commanders to ensure that issues of such nature do not occur.
‘Covid is real’
Meanwhile, the police chief said people have the right to protest and express themselves as provided by the Namibian Constitution, but he urged the public to take into consideration that Covid-19 is real and has claimed lives of many thus far.
“We are not dealing with kindergarten people. These are mature people who have seen people dying of the pandemic and they prioritise protesting an issue and then they forget the danger of their lives,” he said.
“We are not saying people should not enjoy their freedom of expression and assembling - as long as they comply and abide by the health protocols, we have no problem.”
[email protected]
RUNDU
Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga has sent out a stern warning to future organisers of protests during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying they will be charged and prosecuted if health protocols are not followed.
The order has been extended to all regional commanders to implement with immediate effect.
Ndeitunga made the remark after a recent protest in Rundu in the Kavango East Region, which saw health measures being disregarded.
The demonstration, which took place last Tuesday, was in protest against the appointment of a Chinese businessman as the exclusive advisor to Kavango East regional governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo.
The 50 people per gathering regulation was not taken into consideration, while social distancing was not observed and some protestors were spotted without face masks.
Organisers, police to blame
When asked why the police did not act at the protest, which happened in full view of law enforcement, Ndeitunga conceded that both the organisers and the police are to blame for what transpired in Rundu last Tuesday.
“What happened at the governor’s office in Rundu should not repeat itself, particularly in the eyes of the police and organisers. It was total negligence on the part of the police, the organisers and the citizens themselves,” he said.
“First we have to warn them and tell them to comply with the health protocol immediately. If they are refusing, then we charge them. That is the procedure of the law.
“When the police are escorting or are near the protest, they should observe whether the people are complying with the health protocol. The organisers should also ensure that the health protocol is observed.”
Ndeitunga said he has sent these instructions to all regional commanders to ensure that issues of such nature do not occur.
‘Covid is real’
Meanwhile, the police chief said people have the right to protest and express themselves as provided by the Namibian Constitution, but he urged the public to take into consideration that Covid-19 is real and has claimed lives of many thus far.
“We are not dealing with kindergarten people. These are mature people who have seen people dying of the pandemic and they prioritise protesting an issue and then they forget the danger of their lives,” he said.
“We are not saying people should not enjoy their freedom of expression and assembling - as long as they comply and abide by the health protocols, we have no problem.”
[email protected]
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