Namibian woman hacks husband, children to death

A Namibian woman has been arrested by the Angolan police and charged with the brutal murder of her husband and two young children.

Pelivavali Selma Shilengifa, 34, is accused of hacking to death her 71-year-old husband, Naftali Monde, and their two daughters with a panga (machete) early Monday morning. According to information by the Angolan authorities, Shilengifa killed her husband, also a Namibian national, and their two children, Ndeshipanda Ndifi kepo, 4, and Pelivavali, 2, while the three were sleeping.

Although it is not clear how many times Shilengifa attacked her family, information pouring in indicates that the bodies were found with open wounds on the necks by the Angolan police.

The incident, which happened at the couple’s home at Onambunga Village in the South of Angola, has sent shockwaves throughout Naftali’s home village of Onawa in the Ohangwena Region.

Naftali allegedly relocated to the Onambunga Village with his young wife and children in the hopes of building a house and improving the quality of life for his family there.

Sergeant Kaume Iitumba of the Public Liaison Unit of the Namibian Police in the Ohangwena Region told the Namibian Sun that Shilengifa is currently being held at the Ondjiva prison in the Cunene Region while the Angolan police finalise their investigations.

“The Angolan authorities are still investigating the matter, but we have heard that the suspect might be mentally unstable. Of course, that rumour has not been confirmed as doctors have not yet examined the suspect,” said Iitumba.

By yesterday morning, the Monde family was negotiating with the Angolan authorities to transport the bodies of the three deceased to conduct a proper burial for them over the weekend at the Onawa Village.