Affirmative Repositioning leader Amupanda takes government to court over redline ‘election gimmick’

The government is using its proposal to get rid of the veterinary cordon fence (redline) to garner votes.

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda said this at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday.

“The decision has been made to gradually remove it, with specific timelines, such as in 2020, being mentioned. However, the question remains: How are you going to implement this decision if you are still planning to conduct a study?” he asked.

“While the government claims to have decided on gradual removal, they now indicate that a study will be conducted to guide the implementation,” Amupanda said.

The Cabinet earlier gave the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform a two-year period within which to conduct a feasibility study on the gradual lifting of the restrictive line that has been blamed for blocking northern farmers from accessing a lucrative beef market for years.

Amupanda claimed the government already did a feasibility study in 2014.

Ministry spokesperson Jona Musheko said the ministry is aware of the earlier study on the issue.

“Given the fact that this may be part of the materials in the ongoing court case, it’s only safe that we refrain from commenting until further notice or when the case is resolved,” he said.

“A feasibility study on the removal of the redline has already been done. Everything about the removal has been done already,” he said.

Amupanda yesterday said the government’s recent call to gradually remove the redline is an election gimmick.

“What if the study comes to the conclusion that it cannot be removed? So, how do you justify something like that?” he asked.

Amupanda said the government must stop preventing people from transporting meat across the line for personal consumption.
“The redline needs to go. It does not protect any interest of black Namibians,” he said.

“Why should you control what I eat? How can I slaughter a goat at Omaalala and eat the meat there, but I can’t bring it for my family in Windhoek? he asked.

Amupanda and the state were due to meet about the redline issue in court today.

“The first prayer is to allow me and all Namibians to cross borders with our meat for personal consumption. This has nothing to do with exports or disease control, as it’s simply meat for my family,” the AR leader said.

“Why should I be forced to buy expensive meat from shops like Shoprite? That’s one of my prayers.

“The second prayer is that the authorities stop searching people’s vehicles and property without a search warrant, as it’s unlawful.

“The third prayer is to declare the redline unconstitutional,” he said.

Amupanda said the party will be asking the court to order the government to remove the redline within 90 days.

“This gives them time to hire trucks, take down the fence and procure whoever is necessary to get it done,” he said.