Month: April 2024

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, has welcomed the arrest of eight Nigerian nationals who attacked police and damaged vehicles.

According to a South African Police Service (SAPS) statement, at the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals in possession of drugs.

‘While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.’

One suspect was arrested for illegal drug possession and three were detained at Kimberley Police Station for public violence.

In addition, while the cops were processing the case, suspects broke windows at the station.

The police have since added charges of malicious damage to property.

‘Another group of Nigerians later approached the police station and threatened to retaliate. The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.’

Upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four suspects were arrested for malicious
damage to property.

Otola has since condemned this behaviour and stated that those who prevent police from exercising their duties will be dealt with harshly.

‘We will not allow such lawless behaviour. We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country. Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape,’ he added.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in Oshikoto Region have opened a case of abortion against a 25-year-old Namibian woman who allegedly terminating her pregnancy after her boyfriend refused to take responsible for her pregnancy.

According to the region’s Crime Investigation Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Friday, the incident happened on Wednesday at about 01h00 at Omawe village in the Eengodi constituency.

‘It is alleged that the suspect gave birth at home to a dead baby in her sleeping room and informed her mother after she gave birth,’ reported Ekandjo.

He added that it is further alleged that at home, no one knew the suspect was seven months pregnant.

Ekandjo reported that the suspect and the deceased body were taken to Omuthiya District Hospital by the police for the suspect to receive treatment and while at the hospital the suspect was interviewed and then confessed to have consumed or drank a concoction to terminate her pregnancy because her boyfriend refused to take responsibili
ty for the pregnancy.

‘The hospital referred the matter to the police for autopsy and further investigations,’ reported Ekandjo.

The suspect was arrested and released in the care of the mother and will appear before Tsumeb magistrate court on next week Tuesday while investigation continues.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

A 35-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly burning a five-year-old boy at Omaku village in the Tsandi constituency of the Omusati Region.

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Omusati’s Regional Crime Investigation Coordinator, Moses Simaho, confirmed to Nampa on Friday that the incident occurred on Wednesday at around 14h00 and a case of attempted murder has been opened.

According to Simaho, the victim is accused of breaking into the shebeen and stealing sugar.

‘It is alleged that the suspect burned the boy by lighting the grass on fire and applying it to the child’s body,’ he said.

Simaho indicated that the victim sustained serious injuries on both hands, feet, thighs and legs.

He noted that the victim is admitted at Tsandi hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment and is in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested and charged.

Police investigations into the matter continues.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The body of a new-born baby was allegedly discovered half buried at Omunyele village in the Etayi constituency in the Omusati Region on Thursday.

The Namibian Police Force’s Omusati Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho, confirmed this to Nampa on Friday, saying the discovery was made around 20h30 by a group of children who were passing by.

‘It is allegedly that the suspect give birth to unknown gender baby and buried half of the body in the ground,’ he said.

He noted that they are yet to determine the gender of the deceased baby and suspect is unknown.

Simaho indicated that the police are investigating a case of murder, concealment of birth and defeating the course of justice.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO), Peya Mushulenga, stated on Thursday that his ministry, along with the Ministry of Justice, is actively working to rectify the injustice meted out against Junias Shomwele.

He said this in Parliament in response to questions posed by Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Maximillient Katjimune, concerning the compensation of Shomwele, a Namibian citizen who was wrongfully taken into custody in Zambia on the allegation that he threw a stone on the road, causing former Sioma district commissioner, Mutomena Mubiana’s vehicle to experience a burst tyre in 2014. He was detained from 2014 to 2017 and since his release in 2017, he has made several requests from the government to aid in his search for restitution.

‘The ministry has taken considerable steps over the years to facilitate and engage the relevant authorities in line with its mandate as far as the case of Mr. Shomwele is concerned,’ stated Mushulenga.

He further noted that
legal aid was provided by the Ministry of Justice to Shomwele in 2018 for the execution of the judgement and that they are still awaiting a response for their request for mutual legal assistance.

‘A request for Mutual Legal Assistance was also received from the Ministry of Justice on 24 July 2023 to assist in the matter of Shomwele receiving compensation from the Zambian government for his time spent in prison, which we transmitted via diplomatic channels to the Zambian authorities. The request has been received by the Central Authority of Zambia. This was confirmed by the Zambian High Commission in a meeting convened on 27 October 2023,’ said Mushulenga.

Furthermore, he stated that MIRCO is still waiting on a response in this matter, adding, ‘once received we will transmit the same to the Ministry of Justice which is the right custodian to deal with the matter.’

Mushulenga said that MIRCO continues to carry out its mandate by transmitting requests for mutual legal assistance through diplomatic channels as
guided by Article 96 of the Namibian Constitution.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Ovaherero community in the Tsumkwe Constituency who were repatriated from Botswana to Namibia on 28 April 1993, will host the 31st anniversary of their repatriation day at Gam settlement in the Otjozondjupa Region.

Organiser of the event, Ernst Muraranganda in an interview with Nampa on Friday said the main day for the Ovaherero returnees is on 28 April 2024 at Gam, and prior to it on 26 and 27 April several cultural entertainment activities will take place at the community hall and sports field.

‘We have prepared to host Miss Gam Returnee for 2024 on 26 April followed by a music bash and sports games like football, netball and volleyball on 27 April,’ said Muraranganda.

A horse racing tournament, dancing competition, tug-of-war and a five-kilometre run competition will also take place on 27 April.

Muraranganda explained that the main event on Sunday will feature several speeches from traditional leaders and government officials, especially on challenges being faced by Gam community members and discu
ssions.

Gam has nearly 6 000 direct community descendants of the Ovaherero warriors who fought in the war of resistance against the German colonial forces from 1904 to 1908.

‘Our forefathers crossed to Botswana when the war of resistance inside the country had intensified, and most of the attendees of this event on 28 April this year, are those who were born in Botswana and are Namibians by registration,’ he said.

In 1993, a total of 7 000 Herero descendants that now live in the Gam area, had crossed over to Namibia through the Muhembo border post, Muraranganda said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency