Asthmatic Namibian prisoner makes ‘unusual demands’

Namibia’s prisons aren’t five-star accommodation establishments. In fact, they have come in for some harsh recent criticism from internal and external sources. But in response to claims of a problem experienced by one prisoner, the authorities have been given a list of demands that is unusual, to put it mildly. Andre Dausab, currently serving time in the Hardap Correctional Facility in Mariental, says he is an asthmatic but that the prison authorities aren’t providing him with the medicine he needs to control his condition. Now, writes Carmel Rickard in her A Matter of Justice column on the Legalbrief site, he’s asked the courts to help by ordering that he be provided with the right medication, as well as at least 10 slices of bread a day and an air conditioner – not to mention various monitors, along with an antibacterial mattress and antibacterial sheets.

Namibia judgment

A Matter of Justice