Fisherman’s arson claim against headman

OSHAKATI PLACIDO HILUKILWA A Northern freshwater fisherman is fuming after the police in the Oshana Region refused to register a criminal case against senior headman John Walenga, who he accused of burning down his business premises. Walenga has dismissed the accusation, saying it is groundless. Petrus Maisho, a well-known freshwater fisherman in the Okatjali Constituency of Oshana Region claims to have suffered a devastating loss, when the base of operations in the Oshituntu village was burnt down on Saturday. The alleged basis of the act was that he had occupied the area illegally. Maisho, also known as Madiko, told Namibian Sun in an interview at the Oshakati police headquarters that the incident happened when Walenga arrived at his camp, accompanied by police officers, and personally started a fire that he claims has destroyed his sleeping hut, 14 fishing nets, and a huge amount of money. He said the money included at least N$40 000 belonging to him and other monies belonging to his associates. I kept the money because I planned to buy a new vehicle. Part of that amount was contributed by my son who is a Namdeb employee, Madiko said. He said he started fishing in the area long before independence and had never experienced problems, either with the traditional authorities or with the police. My camp at Oshituntu is the only reference point in the area. It is used as a polling station and as a mobile clinic, he said, adding that during the past years' flooding he played a crucial role, helping the police with the recovery of bodies of those who drowned, assisting people in closing the flooded seasonal rivers, and training canoeists, in cooperation with the regional authorities. Madiko said he was recently ordered to leave the area - an order he disagreed with - but was not given a timeframe within which to evacuate. They arrived suddenly on Saturday and burnt down my property without prior warning, he said. One of Madiko's associates said even in the case where their fishing activities were considered illegal, destruction by fire was too extreme and itself illegal. Madiko said the police at Ondangwa refused to register a case of malicious damage to property and he was instead summoned to a meeting with Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa at Oshakati on Monday, where he was advised to report the incident to King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas of Ondonga. Kashihakumwa confirmed that he referred Madiko to the traditional authority of Ondonga. He was one of the people who were staying in the area illegally, Kashihakumwa said. Approached for comment, Walenga dismissed the accusation levelled against him, saying he was acting as a representative of the king when on several occasions he ordered Madiko to leave the place where he was staying illegally. It is not true that he was never warned. I went there personally at least four times. Others have obeyed the king's order and have left, but Madiko refused, Walenga said. That he stayed there for years is not the issue. The question is whether he was there legally and the answer is no, Walenga, a businessman and a Swapo activist, said.