Controversial Red Line case struck from court

By: Ellen Shihepo

The High Court has struck the Red Line case by Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda against the Ministry of Agriculture and seven other defendants.

Presiding Judge Shafimana Ueitele ruled that Amupanda failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the Red Line is unconstitutional.

Judge Ueitele dismissed the case, absolving all defendants. He stated that the search for Amupanda’s vehicle on May 17, 2021, was a legally authorised procedure under the mandates of the ministries of health and agriculture.

“Mr. Amupanda has furthermore dismally failed to place any factual basis on which this court must restrain the minister of agriculture, water and land reform or any of its officials from confiscating Mr Amupanda’s red meat or any other Namibian’s meant for private consumption.

For all these reasons I grant absolution from the instance and I make the following orders; the defendants are absolved from the instance, the question of costs turned over pending the outcome of an appeal against the decision of this court in the rule 20 application, the matter is regarded as finalised and is removed from the roll.” Ueitele said.

The case, which commenced on January 22, stemmed from a 2021 incident in which Amupanda’s vehicle was searched at the Oshivelelo weighbridge along the Red Line. His red meat was subsequently confiscated and burned in his presence.

Judge Ueitele further criticized Amupanda’s claims regarding his land tax exemption granted by former Minister of Agriculture Calle Schlettwein. He stated that such allegations painted the ministry as corrupt and lacking integrity. Ueitele added that Amupanda’s actions amounted to a smear campaign, not withholding the fact that the plaintiff is not supposed to interfere with the judiciary on social media platforms during an ongoing case.

Following the verdict, Amupanda took to social media to announce his intention to take the matter to the Supreme Court for appeal.

“We are definitely appealing this whole idea. This is not the end of the case; we are going to prosecute this case until it’s logical conclusion and we are not going to give up.” said Amupanda.