Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK mayor Job Amupanda has filed a claim against government to do away with the Veterinary Cordon fence, also known as the red line, situated at the Oshivelo checkpoint.
The Red Line is a pest-exclusion fence separating northern Namibia from the central and southern country parts.
In the lawsuit, Amupanda said the fence continues to be used for purposes of controlling the movement of animals and black people from the north to the south of Namibia.
According to Amupanda, the red line is an unconstitutional colonial structure which is not sanctioned or even made provision for by any law in Namibia.
“The fence classifies persons including their animals who travel from the north of the red line as inferior and who should be screened for diseases, scanned and searched without warrants. This treatment is not dispensed to those who travel from the south of the red line,” Amupanda says.
The minister of Agriculture, the government of the republic of Namibia, the Attorney General and an official of the Veterinary Services, have been listed as respondents in the lawsuit that could possibly see the abolishment of the line that was demarcated in 1896.
Amupanda’s lawsuit was triggered by an incident that occurred on 17 May 2021, when his red meat was confiscated from his vehicle by officials at the Oshivelo checkpoint.
He claims the meat was valued at N$1,000.
He is thus seeking a high court order in terms of Article 25 declaring that the conduct of Veterinary services officials was unlawful and unconstitutional on the basis that it was not sanctioned by any law, and that it violates Article 8 and 10 of the Namibian Constitution.
Amupanda wants the high court directing and restraining the respondents from confiscating his or any Namibian’s red meat meant for private and own consumption.
He is also asking the court to issue an order directing and compelling Government and the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately or within 90 days remove the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
Windhoek Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo is representing Job Amupanda in the matter.
Government was issued the summons today.
The managing Judge is yet to be assigned.
