Nust lecturer joins ICC investigators
By Confidente Reporter
DR Pilisano Masake, a lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) and deputy head of department in social sciences in the faculty of human science, was recently included on the list of professional investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC is the permanent institution that is vested with the mandate to prosecute and punish persons responsible for the commission of the most serious crimes of international concern.
The ICC complements national courts and strives to build a just world.
A letter from Esteban Peralta Losilla, Chief: Counsel Support Section, ICC, states that Masake meets the qualifications necessary to be included on the list of people who are eligible to assist in proceedings before the Court.
Masake’s duties as a listed professional investigator include investigating core international crimes such as genocide, crime against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.
Masake holds an LLD in Public Law: International Criminal Law (Stellenbosch University); an LLM (Stellenbosch University); a Masters in Policing Practice (Southern Business School); and an LLB and B-Juris (UNAM). He has vast experience having previously served as a detective in the Namibian Police Force for over 15 years.
At Nust, since 2017, Masake has lectured various courses that include Crime Investigation, Criminal Procedure and Criminal Law.
Masake could not hide his excitement following the ICC’s inclusion saying that it has always been his dream to showcase his criminal investigative prowess beyond the borders.
“I have investigated crimes domestically, and it has always been my aspiration to showcase my criminal investigations skills beyond Namibia – thus, this is a massive achievement for me. I stand to learn and to be exposed to new investigation techniques; gain skills in the field of criminal investigation; gain new experiences and competences.
My exposure to international criminal investigation, international criminal procedure, and international criminal law would, in no uncertain terms, empower and afford me an opportunity to gain further knowledge and skills which can be explicated in the courses that I lecture. In this manner, there is high possibility of skills transfer from international criminal justice to the criminal justice classroom at the university, for the benefit of the Criminal Justice students and the country at large,” he said.
Professor Alinah Segobye, the dean in the faculty of human sciences at Nust congratulated Masake on his appointment.
“As the faculty and indeed the university, we are honoured by this recognition of the expertise bestowed on Dr Masake. We hope it will lead to more accolades to his already highly accomplished career,” said Segobye.