IPC condemns physical attack on Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has condemned an attack on Ondangwa district control and regional court prosecutorJustine Shiweda on Friday. Shiweda was allegedly shot in the legs and doused with an acidic substance in front of her children in her home. Oshana region police commander commissioner Naftal Sakaria has confirmed the incident to The Namibian. “No one has been arrested yet. We are following certain leads collected from the scene but also asking the public to assist if they know something. These people are from the community, someone must have heard or saw something that might help the police in solving this case,” he says. Shiweda survived the assault and is currently receiving medical care. A case of attempted murder has since been opened, Sakaria adds. IPC in a statement issued on Friday by spokesperson Imms Nashinge wished Shiweda a “swift and full recovery”. “This barbaric act is not only an assault on Ms Shiweda as a person and a mother, but also an attack on the integrity of our justice system and the rule of law in Namibia,” Nashinge said. He emphasised that such acts of cowardice and violence have no place in a democratic society. Added to this horror the statement reads, is the recognition that this kind of violence is part of a broader, alarming pattern in Namibia; the safety of women, mothers, sisters and daughters is under threat. The safety and independence of those who uphold the law must never be compromised, Nashinge said. “Just last week, the lifeless body of Juanita Karolus was found here in the capital, the circumstances of her death remain deeply troubling. We, in IPC, assert that no woman should fear for her life or for the safety of her children, simply by going about daily life. These are not isolated incidents; they are grim signals that more must be done to protect those most vulnerable,” said Nashinge. The party has called on the police to conduct an urgent, transparent and thorough investigation into this heinous incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice without delay. “We further call on the government to strengthen the protection of judicial officers, prosecutors and other members of the justice sector who risk their lives in the pursuit of truth and justice,” Nashinge added.