The Namibian Police and the Namibian Defence Force have been ordered to jointly pay N$50,000 to Vitalis Nambondi following a High Court ruling over his assault and wrongful arrest during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Nambondi filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, and the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, alleging he was assaulted by members of the police and defence forces involved in “Operation Kalahari Desert.”

According to Nambondi, approximately 20 uniformed officers forcefully entered his home, conducted an unlawful search, and subjected him to wrongful arrest and detention.

He told the court that the assault left him with injuries to his rib cage, chest, and head, and caused hearing loss in his left ear.

High Court Judge Hannelie Prinsloo ruled in Nambondi's favor, awarding him N$25,000 for the unlawful arrest and an additional N$25,000 for the assault. The compensation is to be paid jointly and severally by the ministries.

Nambondi had initially sought N$200,000 in damages.