patth@ccnysci.UUCP (08/20/89)
Ported from PeaceNET: FROM: NAMIBIA SUPPORT COMMITTEE NAMIBIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS YET TO BE RELEASED Windhoek: August 4, 1989 - The trial which opened here yesterday of two self-confessed SWAPO combatants for the killing last year of a man they believed to be a colonial policeman has focused attention on whether the South African authorities in Namibia have released all political prisoners as stipulated by the UN independence plan. According to the liberation movement, the two accused, Eino Muule and Haidula Andreas, are not the only SWAPO members still imprisoned for using violence against the colonial regime. Paulus Kapumburu and Leonard naftali, given long sentences in 1986 for sabotage and murder respectively, are being held in Windhoek Central Prison, as are Afunda Nghiyolwa and Paulus Andreas, sentenced in late 1988 and early 1989 for sabotage. There are also reports that two students, Elifas Mastu and Conrad Shirora, are still held in Windhoek Central Prison following sentences of 18 months for arson in August 1988. Recently released SWAPO political prisoners have also identified Simon Abed as a political prisoner held in the security section of Windhoek Prison. On July 20, three weeks behind the UN plan schedule, South Africa's Administrator General in Namibia released 23 prisoners after a UN-appointed Danish jurist, Professor Carl Norgaard, ruled that they had political motives for their alleged offences (see the list below). One other political prisoner was released previously by the ag, bringing the total to 24 out of 28 cases whose status was investigated by Professor Norgaard. The AG said that all uncharged detainees were released by June when South Africa's draconian security laws were repealed. But suspicion remains that many 'disappeared' detainees have been killed in custody. Today Mr Maarti Ahtisaari confirmed that he agreed with the advice of Professor Norgaard. But he said 'there are a few cases still pending. The issue of political prisoners and detainees -and perhaps I can add a third category which is not in the plan, that of missing persons - is an ongoing process'. Until July 20, the AG made the release of convicted political prisoners in Namibia conditional on the release of alleged SWAPO detainees held in Angola. But he dropped this demand when the UN Secretary General visited namibia and assured the AG that the UN would take steps to secure the release of anyone held by SWAPO. asked today how many such detainees the UN believed there were, Mr Ahtisaari said 'I am not going to talk about numbers because I think this is a very inflamatory situation and inflationary figures are branded about. I am interested in results and have to find means to pursue this matter.'/ends POLITICAL PRISONERS RELEASED UNDER THE UN PLAN BY SOUTH AFRICA ON JULY 20, 1989 Martin Akweenda Angula Mwaala Frans Angula Johannes Nangolo Desiderius Ankome Gabriel Ndapuka Norbert Ankome Stefanus Nghifikwa Andreas Heita Veiko Nghitewa Jonas Hingashepua Salomon Paulus ? Theofilus Jason Josef Sagarias Vilho Kashilulu Bernadinas Shikomgo Markus Kateka Elihakim Shoombe Gabriel Mateus Evans Salwindi Silas Mbonge Erastus Uutoni Sam Mundjundji Andreas Vilho ? released before july 20 on a date unknown SOURCE: NAMIBIA COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange