Nama chiefs rapped over knuckles
Debarred from genocide talks by Nama leaders, Ida Hoffmann, a long-standing activist for reparation claims from the German government, has instructed Conradie & Damaseb law firm to remind the traditional leaders that she is not acting under their mandate.
Nama leaders Dawid Fredericks and Petrus Kooper, under the mantle of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), on 20 September wrote a letter to Hoffmann removing her as convener and chairperson of the Nama Genocide Technical Committee.
They further said she was no longer recognised as a representative of any of the internal instruments, bodies or institutions of the genocide committee.
Hoffmann claims that she has yet to receive reasons for this unexpected move. Attempts to get comment from either Fredericks or Kooper have been fruitless.
Fredericks, who is currently in the Central State Hospital in Windhoek, said all Nama leaders would meet at some future date to discuss the matter.
Kooper said the Nama chiefs would not discuss the matter in public.
“We will only discuss this in a court of law since she is busy consulting her lawyers,” Kooper said.
Dirk Conradie, on behalf of Hoffmann, wrote to the chiefs that their purported mandate over her had no impact on her work and achievements.
Conradie further demanded that the Nama chiefs provide reasons for their decision to withdraw Hoffmann's mandate.
He said the objective of the genocide lobby was in pursuit of justice, fairness and restoration, which was diametrically opposed to the unusual withdrawal of Hoffmann's mandate.
Conradie said the chiefs had no right or authority to do so, adding that the NTLA could pursue its own rights to “whatever cause” deemed appropriate.
“[The] participation in the [genocide] movement of as many as possible willing, knowledgeable and able persons will only benefit the movement in obtaining the objective thereof and [Hoffmann] can see no reason for your antagonism towards her and your ungratefulness for what [she] has sacrificed to date,” Conradie wrote to the chiefs on 30 October.
He warned the chiefs to desist from slandering Hoffmann's good name with “reckless and unsubstantiated” public statements.
“This does not create a good impression in the public and only portrays yourself and your association [NTLA] of ulterior and selfish motives,” Conradie wrote, adding that Hoffmann had the right to consider appropriate legal action.
CATHERINE SASMAN
Nama leaders Dawid Fredericks and Petrus Kooper, under the mantle of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), on 20 September wrote a letter to Hoffmann removing her as convener and chairperson of the Nama Genocide Technical Committee.
They further said she was no longer recognised as a representative of any of the internal instruments, bodies or institutions of the genocide committee.
Hoffmann claims that she has yet to receive reasons for this unexpected move. Attempts to get comment from either Fredericks or Kooper have been fruitless.
Fredericks, who is currently in the Central State Hospital in Windhoek, said all Nama leaders would meet at some future date to discuss the matter.
Kooper said the Nama chiefs would not discuss the matter in public.
“We will only discuss this in a court of law since she is busy consulting her lawyers,” Kooper said.
Dirk Conradie, on behalf of Hoffmann, wrote to the chiefs that their purported mandate over her had no impact on her work and achievements.
Conradie further demanded that the Nama chiefs provide reasons for their decision to withdraw Hoffmann's mandate.
He said the objective of the genocide lobby was in pursuit of justice, fairness and restoration, which was diametrically opposed to the unusual withdrawal of Hoffmann's mandate.
Conradie said the chiefs had no right or authority to do so, adding that the NTLA could pursue its own rights to “whatever cause” deemed appropriate.
“[The] participation in the [genocide] movement of as many as possible willing, knowledgeable and able persons will only benefit the movement in obtaining the objective thereof and [Hoffmann] can see no reason for your antagonism towards her and your ungratefulness for what [she] has sacrificed to date,” Conradie wrote to the chiefs on 30 October.
He warned the chiefs to desist from slandering Hoffmann's good name with “reckless and unsubstantiated” public statements.
“This does not create a good impression in the public and only portrays yourself and your association [NTLA] of ulterior and selfish motives,” Conradie wrote, adding that Hoffmann had the right to consider appropriate legal action.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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