Nineteen students from Rundu Junior and Senior Secondary Schools appeared in court on 15 June on charges of public violence. Thirteen were released on bail of R300 each to appear again on 18 July. The youngest six, all under 18 years, were released into the custody of their parents and later had charges against them dropped.
The students were arrested on 13 June when police used rubber bullets, teargas and sjamboks against students at Rundu Junior Secondary School. Angry parents demanded to know who had ordered police onto the campus.
Although the Director of Education for the Kavango bantustan claimed he had told police to 'monitor the situation' and not 'to move in', angry parents demanded his removal before allowing their children to return to school. They also demanded the removal of four white teachers at the school who reportedly helped police to beat students.
Albert JOHANNES appeared in the Windhoek Magistrates' Court on 6 July charged with public violence. Johannes, a pupil in Standard 8 at northern Namibia's Ongha Secondary School, was arrested in Windhoek on 3 June, reportedly in connection with a demonstration at the Andreas Shipena Secondary School. He was released on R100 bail after his court appearance.
