Staff Reporter
ABED Hishoono, the IPC’s Ohangwena mobiliser, has been ordered to pay N$250 000 to the First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, in an aggravated defamation case.
Geingos filed a N$350 000 defamation lawsuit against Hishoono for a video in which he made false suggestions and insinuations about her.
On or about 12 to 16 February 2021, Hishoono authored and featured in a video which he widely published and circulated in which he made accusations that Geingos was clandestinely involved in the collapse of Air Namibia through her business interest in WestAir.
In the video, Hishoono also stated that Geingos was the girlfriend to Fishrot-accused James Hatuikulipi and that they conceived a child together who is now above the age of 20.
In addition, Hishoono claimed that Hatuikulipi “supplied” Geingos as a wife to President Hage Geingob.
In his judgement, High Court Judge Orban Sibeya stated that during the proceedings Hishoono stated that the plaintiff, the First Lady, is a good person who helps children and people in general and admitted that he would not wish to cause harm to such an individual.
Judge Sibeya further stated that comments made by Hishoono hurt the feelings and reputation of the First Lady and that of her children as well.
He further noted that these allegations were aimed at President Geingob, however, harmed the First Lady in the process.
He further noted that the case of aggravation in the defamation was caused by mocking Facebook commentary made by Hishoono which included sexual connotations, after he was served the first court summons.
In addition, in the footage Hishoono said the First Lady had been supplied to Geingob which made her seem like a commodity implying that she had no agency to choose who she would like to marry.
Sibeya further noted that Hishoono’s words were reckless and injured the reputation of the First Lady and that he made no efforts to gather primary evidence in the matter.
In addition, it was noted that Sibeya had no valid defence in law to the plaintiff’s claims. As such, Hishoono was ordered to pay N$250 000 with a 20% interest per annum.
He further stated that the statements made by Hishoono are declared false and defamatory to the plaintiff. As such, he was ordered to retract his claims and apologize within five days of the court order.
