Judiciary sets record straight
In a statement, the Namibian judiciary has set the record straight on allegations published that were made in a petition to its offices earlier in April.
The office of the judiciary has strongly condemned numerous allegations made by a group of fishermen and former miners contained in a petition that was reported on roughly two weeks ago.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the spokesperson for the office of the judiciary, Yvette Hüsselmann, responded to an article published in Namibian Sun on 12 April, which quoted a number of serious allegations the group made in the petition, against members of the judiciary and others.
“The Office of the Judiciary considers these allegations in a serious light because they are defamatory, without any foundation and baseless,” the statement said.
The article did not contain comment from the Office of the Judiciary or the Ministry, following the handing over of the petition that day.
The statement noted that “the office of the judiciary implores the media to approach our public relations office for comments on any allegation brought against members of the judiciary, in order to verify the facts before publication.”
The newspaper quoted some of the allegations made in the petition, which was handed over to officials at the High Court, Supreme Court and labour ministry about two weeks ago.
The group who drew up the petition and handed it over consisted of members of United Fishermen of Namibia as well as former miners employed at the Tsumeb Corporation, with the support of the Workers Revolution Party.
The allegations included allegations of corruption and bribery within the justice system, and allegations that litigants who came before court were treated in an undignified manner.
The petition included allegations that a judge who had presided in a matter pertaining to the fishermen had abused his office.
In the statement, Hüsselmann said that the office can “assure the people of Namibia that the judiciary respects the dignity of every person as contemplated in Article 8 of the constitution.”
She underlined that “the members of the Namibian judiciary ascribe to the highest ethical standards, and act in accordance with those standards,” the statement read.
The statement cautioned that the allegations contained in the petition, which were quoted in the article, “have the potential to undermine and tarnish the integrity and independence of the Namibian judiciary.” It further noted that “significantly, all persons aggrieved by the decisions and conduct of the members of the Namibian judiciary have appeal or review remedies available to them to challenge decisions taken by judges and with which they are unhappy.”
Hüsselmann, on behalf of the office, said a request for comment before publication “will not only ensure balanced reporting by journalists, but be fair to the members of the Namibian judiciary who otherwise are unable to defend themselves in the media against any allegation by virtue of the office they hold.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
In a statement issued over the weekend, the spokesperson for the office of the judiciary, Yvette Hüsselmann, responded to an article published in Namibian Sun on 12 April, which quoted a number of serious allegations the group made in the petition, against members of the judiciary and others.
“The Office of the Judiciary considers these allegations in a serious light because they are defamatory, without any foundation and baseless,” the statement said.
The article did not contain comment from the Office of the Judiciary or the Ministry, following the handing over of the petition that day.
The statement noted that “the office of the judiciary implores the media to approach our public relations office for comments on any allegation brought against members of the judiciary, in order to verify the facts before publication.”
The newspaper quoted some of the allegations made in the petition, which was handed over to officials at the High Court, Supreme Court and labour ministry about two weeks ago.
The group who drew up the petition and handed it over consisted of members of United Fishermen of Namibia as well as former miners employed at the Tsumeb Corporation, with the support of the Workers Revolution Party.
The allegations included allegations of corruption and bribery within the justice system, and allegations that litigants who came before court were treated in an undignified manner.
The petition included allegations that a judge who had presided in a matter pertaining to the fishermen had abused his office.
In the statement, Hüsselmann said that the office can “assure the people of Namibia that the judiciary respects the dignity of every person as contemplated in Article 8 of the constitution.”
She underlined that “the members of the Namibian judiciary ascribe to the highest ethical standards, and act in accordance with those standards,” the statement read.
The statement cautioned that the allegations contained in the petition, which were quoted in the article, “have the potential to undermine and tarnish the integrity and independence of the Namibian judiciary.” It further noted that “significantly, all persons aggrieved by the decisions and conduct of the members of the Namibian judiciary have appeal or review remedies available to them to challenge decisions taken by judges and with which they are unhappy.”
Hüsselmann, on behalf of the office, said a request for comment before publication “will not only ensure balanced reporting by journalists, but be fair to the members of the Namibian judiciary who otherwise are unable to defend themselves in the media against any allegation by virtue of the office they hold.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
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