Immanuel Shifidi

Who is Immanuel Shifidi?

Immanuel Hafeni Augustus Shifidi, born in Windhoek, was a Namibian activist. He was one of the fighters at Omugulugwombashe on 26 August, 1966 when eight helicopters of the South African Defence Force attacked SWAPO guerrilla fighters at the camp. It was the first armed battle in the Namibian War of Independence.

Immanuel Shifidi was arrested and tortured after the defeat at Omugulugwombashe. He was convicted under the Terrorism Act and received a death sentence. Following international pressure the sentence was converted to life in prison at Robben Island. He served 18 years of this sentence and was released in December 1985. On 30 November 1986 he was assassinated at a SWAPO rally marking the United Nations International Year of Peace.