Amushelelo fined N$ 5000 for contempt of court

  • 1 Week Ago
“This sentence serves as a clear message to you and to society that the courts of justice must be respected at all times”, were the words of Windhoek High Court Judge Anne-Dorris Hans-Kaumbi as she handed social activist Michael Amushelelo (34) a N$5,000 fine after he was found guilty of disobeying a court order.

In the event that he fails to pay the fine, Amushelelo will serve six months in prison. Additionally, he received a six-month suspended sentence, on condition that he is not convicted of contempt of court again within the next two years.

In her judgment, Judge Hans-Kaumbi stated that a primary objective of contempt proceedings is to uphold the reputation and orderliness of the court. “Judicial independence ensures that judges make decisions based solely on the law and facts, free from external pressures, including those from the government or public opinion,” she added.

Mitigation before sentencing

During his sentencing mitigation, Amushelelo, who is representing himself, informed High Court Judge Anne-Dorris Hans-Kaumbi that he is currently unemployed. He added that he has a nine-year-old daughter whose school fees he pays for through donations, as well as parents who rely on him financially and for guidance. “I am a charity case, I live through donations from good Samaritans”.

After making these statements to court Amushelelo requested that the court sentence him to 48 hours in detention or a fine of N$ 300.00 taking into consideration the time he spent in detention up to the point of sentencing.