Defence takes aim at advocates

The defence ministry has labelled a recent statement by the Society of Advocates of Namibia as irresponsible, adding that it appears to be a covert incitement to violence and lawlessness.

The statement was released on 21 January and deals with threats by individuals against the state. Defence ministry executive director Rear-Admiral Peter Hafeni Vilho said the ministry has observed recent press statements from certain quarters of the legal fraternity that are misleading or uninformed with respect to the role and operations of constitutional bodies in the security cluster.

He said an example is the statement issued by the Society of Advocates of Namibia, in which it was argued that the actions of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) are blurring the mandates of the military and the police.

“This is not an accurate interpretation of the functions of the military versus the police,” Vilho said.

He said the defence and police legislation are complementary as they relate to the requirements for security and the stability of the state.

“In terms of classic military terminology, the security and stability of the state operate at certain levels.”

Vilho said there is a strategic level of stability that implies peace in the region and among neighbours, but also freedom from foreign interference, indirect effects of conflict elsewhere and problems such as smuggling, illegal fishing and theft of natural resources.

“Most of these will be the responsibility of the military, but many other actors such as foreign ministries, intelligence services, customs and border guards will be involved as well.”

He further said there is also an operational level that is concerned with the stability of the country as a whole and with threats from nationally organised crime, ethnic or regional tensions and violent dissidence, either political or separatist in nature.

“Both the military and the police will be involved. Peaceful dissident activities will be the responsibility of the police, however, violent dissident activities will attract the involvement of the military.”

Vilho said the tactical level, namely stability in daily life, is concerned with the ability of individual citizens to go about their life free from crime and the threat of violence.

“This area is essentially the responsibility of the police, although an efficient judicial system is also important. The military will only get involved when invited by the police.”

According to him, the period in the run-up to the national elections of 2019 was characterised by incidents of threats both of a tactical and operational nature.

“Operation Kalahari (Desert) is tactical in nature, hence the involvement of the military at the request of the police.”

According to Vilho, towards the end of October and during November, there were sections of the population who threatened to render the country ungovernable by advocating and agitating for the destruction of the government and individual properties.

“Those types of threats were at the operational level and therefore led to a proactive stance by the military.

“That was the basis of the media release's warning - and that warning still stands,” said Vilho.

He stressed that for the NDF, prevention is better than a cure and law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear.

Vilho added that the world over, defence forces are called upon to lead in times of grave danger to the security and stability of the state.

He further said that the NDF will at all times operate within the four corners of the law.

“In this regard, we are going to train our soldiers further, especially in being able to deal with civilians in a manner that respects their rights and dignity.”

ELLANIE SMIT