'Swapo dungeons' back in spotlight

The Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice Association have called for an international commission of inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity committed by the Swapo leadership “and their associates” during the exile years of 1966 to 1986 in the so-called dungeon saga. The two groups met at Tsumeb on 21 and 22 September and resolved to send letters to international and local people who would be willing to serve as commissioners in the proposed investigation. The groups are represented by Erica Beukes, Junius Ikondja, Silas Shikongo, Kambonde John Amutehnu, Peter Kayambu, Phillip Mpingana, Toivo Ashipala and Aluvilu Shekupe. The Committee of Parents was formed in 1984 to investigate the disappearance of family members in exile. The Truth and Justice Association is made up of former Plan fighters. On Monday Beukes said two Namibians, one South African and three British nationals had already been approached to serve as commissioners. One German national was also considered. She said it would be premature to mention any of their names, but they are “internationally reputable individuals”.The groups want the commissioners to investigate the alleged killings and detention of refugees, torture, forced confessions of detainees, complaints against Swapo’s leadership made by members of its youth league and members of Plan in 1976, the alleged involvement and complicity of foreign missions and other instances, the Johnny Ya Otto Commission of Inquiry, and other related matters. The groups said a commission of inquiry was necessary because the Swapo leadership has to date refused to account for the disappearance of fellow Namibians in exile. This refusal, the groups claim, in itself constitutes a continued crime against humanity.Furthermore, they say the Swapo leadership refuses to account for the whereabouts of the remains of allegedly murdered Namibian refugees. They also claim that the party continues to slander and defame both the allegedly murdered refugees and the survivors of the dungeons. “The Swapo regime, which stands accused of crimes against humanity, presides over a purported democracy. This nation has been subjected to imperialist upon imperialist crimes since 1884,” the two groups wrote in their letter.They enumerate the genocide perpetrated during German imperialism, the Bondelswarts massacre in 1922, the 1925 disarmament of the Herero and Baster people, the Old Location massacre in 1959, the Cassinga massacre in 1978, and the “mass murder of refugees” by Swapo from 1966 to 1989 in exile. “It is imperative that all true facts are known on this last period of mass murder,” the groups stated. CATHERINE SASMAN

'Swapo dungeons' back in spotlight

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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'Swapo dungeons' back in spotlight

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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