Staff Reporter
MATHEUS Nangolo, a former soldier in the liberation struggle and chairperson of the former Refugees Repatriation Association Namibia, has taken the SWAPO Party’s Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa, to court, demanding a total of N$25 million for alleged defamatory remarks.
The lawsuit comes after Shaningwa allegedly made offensive remarks towards the Namibian veterans repatriated from exile in 1989, who have set up camp outside the SWAPO headquarters in Windhoek and are demanding the release of N$21.7 million, which the group said was allocated to them for their reintegration into Namibia, but was never allegedly received.
In the particulars of claim, Nangolo said that Shaningwa, on or about 18 January 2026 at the SWAPO headquarters, allegedly made a statement that the former refugees are threatening violence and bloodshed against the leadership of the SWAPO Party, the Namibian nation and the general public.
He added that Shaningwa further proceeded to state that they are causing harm to the environment in that they litter and cause noise pollution, and that they defecate in the open area and/or the bushes near the SWAPO Party National Headquarters, causing an unpleasant smell around the entire area, including the B1 City Shopping Centre and Service Station.
It is alleged that the party SG further labelled them as property grabbers and further stated that they forcefully, violently and unlawfully occupied the SWAPO headquarters near Katutura Hospital Ltd and the adjacent pavements, and have since refused to vacate the premises when ordered to do so.
Nangolo said that these remarks insinuated that the former refugees are defecating in the open, demonstrating an inadequacy in maintaining basic cleanliness and grooming; unhygienic, unkempt, slovenly, or grubby; which is said to have defamed their character.
He added that thus, each member of the group is entitled to payment in the amount of N$500,000.00 in damages, which in total amounts to N$25 million.
PAY UP: Matheus Nangolo, former soldier in the liberation struggle and chairperson of the Repatriated Refugees Association. Photo: Contributed
