Lutherans must account for genocide, dungeons
The church is accused of allegedly taking part in the colonial project and deliberate silence on war crimes.
A small group from the Ovaherero Genocide Forum (OGF) under the chairpersonship of Utji Mwiinjangue, as well as the Committee of Parents, say the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) should take responsibility for its alleged participation in the colonisation of Namibia by imperial Germany, as well as for its silence on the war crimes committed by Swapo in exile.
The two groups have demonstrated outside the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura yesterday where the LWF held its global commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
A member of the OGF, Moses Kavendjii, said the LWF had participated in Germany's colonisation of Namibia because it had “aided and abetted” the genocide committed by the German colonial rule during 1904 to 1908.
“The church came under the pretext of converting our people while it wanted to steal land and cattle by softening our leaders through conversion,” said Kavendjii.
Kavendjii made mention of a church service that had taken place at a dam in the Okahandja area where people were shot by the colonial German forces.
“The church did little to address the plight of our people,” said Kavendjii.
He also took issue with the fact that the LWF had apologised for the genocide without consulting with the affected communities.
“We want the church to engage us; we need tangible engagement,” said Kavendjii.
Hewat Beukes of the Committee of Parents said the Lutherans had “supported the genocide and the mass killings” of Namibians by Swapo in exile.
He said some of the “most advanced and progressive” people were killed so that “yes-bosses” could be installed in power.
A joint statement by the Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice committee stated that the LWF commemoration was taking place “under unresolved issues of mass murder and unaccounted disappearance of thousands of Namibians, the majority from the congregation” invited to the celebrations.
The statement said Bishop Zephania Kameeta “still stands accused” of having done nothing “despite knowing of the disappearance and mass murder of young people in exile”.
“The LWF boasts that is assisted refugees in Swapo camps with humanitarian assistance even clandestinely. We find it hard to understand this claim while the church leaders knew of the carnage amongst Namibians, the majority LWF members,” the statement says.
The joint committees said they have since 1 March 2016 appealed to the LWF and the World Council of Churches (WCC) to work with the groups to resolve the “issues of crimes against humanity”.
Police interference alleged
The groups said members of the Namibian Police on Saturday tried to dissuade them from demonstrating at the Sam Nujoma Stadium by implying that their planned petitioning of the LWF gathering would pose a threat to peace and stability in the country.
They said the police officers had assumed for themselves arbitrary powers by attempting to infringe on citizens' right to freedom of expression.
They continued with their demonstration but were not allowed to enter the gates of the stadium.
CATHERINE SASMAN
The two groups have demonstrated outside the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura yesterday where the LWF held its global commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
A member of the OGF, Moses Kavendjii, said the LWF had participated in Germany's colonisation of Namibia because it had “aided and abetted” the genocide committed by the German colonial rule during 1904 to 1908.
“The church came under the pretext of converting our people while it wanted to steal land and cattle by softening our leaders through conversion,” said Kavendjii.
Kavendjii made mention of a church service that had taken place at a dam in the Okahandja area where people were shot by the colonial German forces.
“The church did little to address the plight of our people,” said Kavendjii.
He also took issue with the fact that the LWF had apologised for the genocide without consulting with the affected communities.
“We want the church to engage us; we need tangible engagement,” said Kavendjii.
Hewat Beukes of the Committee of Parents said the Lutherans had “supported the genocide and the mass killings” of Namibians by Swapo in exile.
He said some of the “most advanced and progressive” people were killed so that “yes-bosses” could be installed in power.
A joint statement by the Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice committee stated that the LWF commemoration was taking place “under unresolved issues of mass murder and unaccounted disappearance of thousands of Namibians, the majority from the congregation” invited to the celebrations.
The statement said Bishop Zephania Kameeta “still stands accused” of having done nothing “despite knowing of the disappearance and mass murder of young people in exile”.
“The LWF boasts that is assisted refugees in Swapo camps with humanitarian assistance even clandestinely. We find it hard to understand this claim while the church leaders knew of the carnage amongst Namibians, the majority LWF members,” the statement says.
The joint committees said they have since 1 March 2016 appealed to the LWF and the World Council of Churches (WCC) to work with the groups to resolve the “issues of crimes against humanity”.
Police interference alleged
The groups said members of the Namibian Police on Saturday tried to dissuade them from demonstrating at the Sam Nujoma Stadium by implying that their planned petitioning of the LWF gathering would pose a threat to peace and stability in the country.
They said the police officers had assumed for themselves arbitrary powers by attempting to infringe on citizens' right to freedom of expression.
They continued with their demonstration but were not allowed to enter the gates of the stadium.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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