Police allegedly harass journalist on election day

While covering the Namibian presidential and parliamentary elections in Gobabis on 27 November, NMH journalist Ellanie Smit reported that she was involved in a road accident involving a government vehicle, which set off a series of events, including alleged harassment by police at the town.The collision occurred shortly after 17:00 at the T-junction of Rugby and Park Street.At a stop sign in Rugby Street, Smit said she made sure there was no oncoming traffic before proceeding to cross Park Street.While driving across, she suddenly noticed a government bakkie speeding towards her.The oncoming vehicle attempted to cut across her path, she reported, forcing her to brake to avoid a collision. However, the bakkie did not slow down and struck her vehicle at the front. It eventually came to a stop several metres beyond the point of impact, she said. Harassment claimSmit reported that when a traffic officer and police officer eventually arrived at the scene, much later, they almost immediately spoke to the driver of the government vehicle and then called her over. She reported that without identifying themselves, she was asked to explain what happened, but her version was dismissed. She described the traffic officer of being “abrasive and dismissive” while she tried to explain what had happened.Smit told NMH that the law enforcement officers did not conduct a breathalyser test, despite her pointing out that this was standard protocol.Nevertheless, Smit was issued a traffic fine for failing to stop at a stop sign.Back to the station She said eventually she was told to follow the traffic officer to the police station to prepare an accident report.At the station, she said, she was then told it was too late to finalise the report and ordered to return the next day. She said at this stage she discovered the government vehicle's licence had expired.Upon her return yesterday, she was reportedly informed that a charge of reckless and negligent driving had been laid against her and the driver of the government vehicle.By 11:00, she still had not received a copy of the accident report, and she said she was told the delay was allegedly caused by the driver of the government vehicle trying to obtain a valid licence for the vehicle.

Police allegedly harass journalist on election day

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-17

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Police allegedly harass journalist on election day

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-17

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