Namibians cry foul as Angola allegedly detains 20 in fuel crackdown
Petition claims no legal justification for alleged arrests
More than 20 Namibians are allegedly in custody in Angola after being arrested “without a valid reason” while refuelling their cars, according to a petition sent to Angolan authorities last week.
The letter, signed by four Namibians and reportedly shared with the Namibian Police and regional governor, also alleges that several Namibian-owned vehicles were confiscated by Angolan authorities.
According to the petition, the arrests began last month in Ondjiva and Santa Clara, allegedly targeting Namibian motorists accused of crossing into Angola to fill their tanks in violation of local laws.
While some managed to flee back into Namibia, others remain in custody, the authors added.
Although details remain vague and unconfirmed by Angolan authorities, Ohangwena police commander Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa confirmed receiving reports and a petition calling for the release of the Namibian nationals.
“I heard about it and we received the letters, but I cannot comment on the matter. We are sending it to the headquarters for further instructions as to the way forward since this involves two countries,” she said.
The concerned group of Namibians addressed the petition to Angolan ambassador to Namibia, Pedro Mutindi, in Windhoek, demanding the release of their countrymen.
As of yesterday, the Angolan embassy had not confirmed whether it had received Namibian Sun’s query regarding the petition and the allegations it contains.
The petition was signed by Johannes M. Shikongo, Gabriel Itula, Tulonga Nghilalaulwa, and Gerhard Nghishidimba.
Cheaper fuel
The issue is reportedly linked to Angola’s cheaper petrol and diesel, which for years has drawn Namibians across the Oshikango border to refuel.
Some motorists drive directly to filling stations, while others cross for business, family or farming purposes. Recently, however, Angolan police have reportedly intensified a clampdown on this practice, resulting, according to the petition, in arrests, detentions and car seizures.
The petition\'s writers claim the practice has become abusive and risks straining relations between the two countries.
“We are demanding the immediate release of more than 20 Namibian nationals who are being arrested and cars detained in Angola without a valid reason.
"Those who went to Angola [did so] for different purposes, like visiting their family members, their homesteads, farms, buying their goods, and fuelling up their cars when they are going or coming back to Namibia," the petition reads.
They also warned that the alleged crackdown and arrests that were made "without clear legal justification" could have political consequences.
“Some of the drivers fled while they were in the queue because of the unexpected arrests, so they left their wallets, in which their identities [cards] as well as their voter’s cards [were stored], while we are approaching our elections in due course.”
Alleged abuse of power
According to the petition, motorists are allegedly charged exorbitant fees with no due process.
“When you are arrested, you are being charged a huge amount of money on the spot by the officers, which you may not afford by that time," the authors write.
"When you are arrested and jailed, the police officers who arrested you are the one to provide a lawyer for you, and they charge a huge amount of money in Namibian dollars cash on hands instead of their currencies, whereby you end up paying three times for you to be released (sic)," the letter claims.
The group also claim that Angolan police misuse vehicles allegedly confiscated from Namibians.
“The worst part is that when they detained our vehicles, the police officers use them for personal purposes. Last but not least, our cars are being scrapped in their hands."
The group say the alleged arrests amount to an abuse of power and a breach of international law, noting that Namibia\'s Constitution enshrines the protection of its citizens both domestically and abroad.
“Furthermore, Namibia is a signatory to various international conventions that advocate for the humane treatment of individuals and the protection of their rights, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to liberty and security of person.”
Act urgently
The petition concludes with an appeal for urgent diplomatic intervention.
“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and cooperation, we respectfully request the immediate release of more than 20 Namibian nationals and their vehicles that are arrested and detained in Angola.”
Moreover, the authors say Angolan police must provide a "transparent explanation" for the alleged arrests.
The Oshikango–Santa Clara border, which has been operating 24 hours a day since last year, remains one of the busiest crossings for motorists seeking Angola’s cheaper fuel.
The petition further urged Namibian leaders, copied in the correspondence, to "intervene in this issue within seven days. We urge government to assist us in releasing our brothers and sisters as soon as possible."
[email protected]
The letter, signed by four Namibians and reportedly shared with the Namibian Police and regional governor, also alleges that several Namibian-owned vehicles were confiscated by Angolan authorities.
According to the petition, the arrests began last month in Ondjiva and Santa Clara, allegedly targeting Namibian motorists accused of crossing into Angola to fill their tanks in violation of local laws.
While some managed to flee back into Namibia, others remain in custody, the authors added.
Although details remain vague and unconfirmed by Angolan authorities, Ohangwena police commander Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa confirmed receiving reports and a petition calling for the release of the Namibian nationals.
“I heard about it and we received the letters, but I cannot comment on the matter. We are sending it to the headquarters for further instructions as to the way forward since this involves two countries,” she said.
The concerned group of Namibians addressed the petition to Angolan ambassador to Namibia, Pedro Mutindi, in Windhoek, demanding the release of their countrymen.
As of yesterday, the Angolan embassy had not confirmed whether it had received Namibian Sun’s query regarding the petition and the allegations it contains.
The petition was signed by Johannes M. Shikongo, Gabriel Itula, Tulonga Nghilalaulwa, and Gerhard Nghishidimba.
Cheaper fuel
The issue is reportedly linked to Angola’s cheaper petrol and diesel, which for years has drawn Namibians across the Oshikango border to refuel.
Some motorists drive directly to filling stations, while others cross for business, family or farming purposes. Recently, however, Angolan police have reportedly intensified a clampdown on this practice, resulting, according to the petition, in arrests, detentions and car seizures.
The petition\'s writers claim the practice has become abusive and risks straining relations between the two countries.
“We are demanding the immediate release of more than 20 Namibian nationals who are being arrested and cars detained in Angola without a valid reason.
"Those who went to Angola [did so] for different purposes, like visiting their family members, their homesteads, farms, buying their goods, and fuelling up their cars when they are going or coming back to Namibia," the petition reads.
They also warned that the alleged crackdown and arrests that were made "without clear legal justification" could have political consequences.
“Some of the drivers fled while they were in the queue because of the unexpected arrests, so they left their wallets, in which their identities [cards] as well as their voter’s cards [were stored], while we are approaching our elections in due course.”
Alleged abuse of power
According to the petition, motorists are allegedly charged exorbitant fees with no due process.
“When you are arrested, you are being charged a huge amount of money on the spot by the officers, which you may not afford by that time," the authors write.
"When you are arrested and jailed, the police officers who arrested you are the one to provide a lawyer for you, and they charge a huge amount of money in Namibian dollars cash on hands instead of their currencies, whereby you end up paying three times for you to be released (sic)," the letter claims.
The group also claim that Angolan police misuse vehicles allegedly confiscated from Namibians.
“The worst part is that when they detained our vehicles, the police officers use them for personal purposes. Last but not least, our cars are being scrapped in their hands."
The group say the alleged arrests amount to an abuse of power and a breach of international law, noting that Namibia\'s Constitution enshrines the protection of its citizens both domestically and abroad.
“Furthermore, Namibia is a signatory to various international conventions that advocate for the humane treatment of individuals and the protection of their rights, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to liberty and security of person.”
Act urgently
The petition concludes with an appeal for urgent diplomatic intervention.
“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and cooperation, we respectfully request the immediate release of more than 20 Namibian nationals and their vehicles that are arrested and detained in Angola.”
Moreover, the authors say Angolan police must provide a "transparent explanation" for the alleged arrests.
The Oshikango–Santa Clara border, which has been operating 24 hours a day since last year, remains one of the busiest crossings for motorists seeking Angola’s cheaper fuel.
The petition further urged Namibian leaders, copied in the correspondence, to "intervene in this issue within seven days. We urge government to assist us in releasing our brothers and sisters as soon as possible."
[email protected]
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