The court arrested Michael Amushelelo after he called judges "puppets" and "little gods" in the Windhoek High Court. Acting Judge Doris Hans-Kaumbi ruled Monday evening that Amushelelo had shown contempt of court. She said his statements clearly attacked the freedom of the court system.
She explained that during an afternoon hearing, Amushelelo claimed judges act as puppets who obey whoever appointed them. He also said they never bite the hand that feeds them and think they stand above others like small gods. The judge ordered police to take Amushelelo to Windhoek jail until Wednesday morning. Then, he must return to face his punishment for disrespecting the court.
Amushelelo made these comments when asking Hans-Kaumbi to step down from a case where Police Chief Joseph Shikongo sued him. He wanted her removed after she refused to delay an urgent application Shikongo filed last Thursday. Amushelelo had asked for more time to find a lawyer. Shikongo wants the court to make Amushelelo delete Facebook posts about him from early last week.
These posts mentioned a deadly car crash involving Shikongo in December 2022. Shikongo never faced criminal charges for this incident. Shikongo believes these posts break a previous court order from October last year. That order came when both men settled an earlier case in which Shikongo demanded N$1 million from Amushelelo for damaging his reputation.
The police took Amushelelo into custody right after the judge announced her decision. Many supporters gathered outside the courtroom when they heard about his arrest. This case adds to the growing tension between social activists and government officials in Namibia. The public watches closely as the court decides how to handle someone who openly criticizes the justice system.
She explained that during an afternoon hearing, Amushelelo claimed judges act as puppets who obey whoever appointed them. He also said they never bite the hand that feeds them and think they stand above others like small gods. The judge ordered police to take Amushelelo to Windhoek jail until Wednesday morning. Then, he must return to face his punishment for disrespecting the court.
Amushelelo made these comments when asking Hans-Kaumbi to step down from a case where Police Chief Joseph Shikongo sued him. He wanted her removed after she refused to delay an urgent application Shikongo filed last Thursday. Amushelelo had asked for more time to find a lawyer. Shikongo wants the court to make Amushelelo delete Facebook posts about him from early last week.
These posts mentioned a deadly car crash involving Shikongo in December 2022. Shikongo never faced criminal charges for this incident. Shikongo believes these posts break a previous court order from October last year. That order came when both men settled an earlier case in which Shikongo demanded N$1 million from Amushelelo for damaging his reputation.
The police took Amushelelo into custody right after the judge announced her decision. Many supporters gathered outside the courtroom when they heard about his arrest. This case adds to the growing tension between social activists and government officials in Namibia. The public watches closely as the court decides how to handle someone who openly criticizes the justice system.
