Zorena Jantze
DEFENCE attorney in the Fishcor bail hearing Vas Soni has stated it is rather harsh for a country that upholds human rights to punish former justice minister Sackeus Shanghala by having him spend 37 days in solitary confinement.
Soni represents Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo in the Fishcor bail application in which six men are seeking release from prison after being charged with corruption, fraud and money laundering after they allegedly illicitly benefited from state funds in the fishing sector amounting to over N$300 million.
Soni on Monday cross-examined Veiko Armas, the Deputy Commissioner and Head of the Windhoek Correctional Facility.
“Were you aware that Mr. Shanghala on 3 January 2020 was placed in solitary confinement at the facility for a total of 37 days?
“Now I just ask you, I don’t want to be unfair to you, doesn’t that sound rather harsh in a Namibia that upholds human rights? After he complained after 37 days, he was finally removed. He was kept alone and not allowed to see or communicate with anybody,” Soni said.
Armas explained that people are placed in solitary confinement in accordance with the law, and this is usually caused by an incident, or an offender is violent or his life is under threat.
He added that he was not aware of the incident but noted that Shanghala is a former cabinet minister who at times needs protection and cannot be mixed with other inmates.
The deputy commissioner also rebutted Shanghala and Hatuikulipi’s contentions that they have medical conditions and need bail.
Hatuikulipi in his affidavit notified the court that he suffers from hereditary hypertension whilst Shanghala said he suffered from sleep apnea, asthma and hypertension as well.
Armas said that the prison offers pills for the conditions Hatuikulipi and Shanghala ail from as the prison has other inmates who suffer from similar conditions. He said the prison also offers a balanced diet for sick inmates authorized by a dietician in 2019.
On Monday, the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC’s) Andreas Kanyangela also wrapped up his testimony after almost two weeks’ testimony.
