(MISA/IFEX) – A member of parliament has been accused of kicking a news reporter before telling him to “f*%k off back to Rehoboth” (a small town, about 78km south of the capital, Windhoek), “The Namibian” newspaper reported on 20 March 2001. According to the report, Alfred Stephanus Dax, a SWAPO (ruling party) member of the […]
(MISA/IFEX) – A member of parliament has been accused of kicking a news reporter before telling him to “f*%k off back to Rehoboth” (a small town, about 78km south of the capital, Windhoek), “The Namibian” newspaper reported on 20 March 2001.
According to the report, Alfred Stephanus Dax, a SWAPO (ruling party) member of the National Council, did not deny his alleged attack on Dimitrio Metzler of Rehoboth’s “Akazia Nuus”. However, Dax made a counter claim of racial discrimination against the local newsletter reporter.
Dax claims Metzler had referred to people of Rehoboth’s Block E squatter camp as “kaffirs”, an accusation Metlzer, who is also a well-known SWAPO member, said was ridiculous.
The incident took place on Thursday 15 March, after a meeting about water issues at Block E.
Metzler said a quarrel ensued between him and Dax over disputed land outside Rehoboth. Metzler is a director of Akasi Resort, which is built on the land that Dax intends to reclaim as ancestral land.
During the argument Dax allegedly told Metzler “ek fok jou sommer nou op [I’ll f*%k you up now].” He claims Dax also said land in Africa belonged only to black people, implying that Metzler was not black enough to own the land.
According to the report Metzler said he began retreating to his vehicle when he realised a “mob situation” was developing. Dax followed him and allegedly kicked him.
When contacted by “The Namibian”, Dax did not want to relate in full what happened unless the newspaper’s reporter told him Metzler’s version. Dax claimed that Metzler was only telling the reporter half the story.
According to the report, the police have confirmed that charges of common assault and “crimen injuria” have been filed against Dax.
Dax is reported to have laid a charge of racial discrimination against Metzler.
