Ex-cop behind bars over alleged threats to kill prosecutor

A simmering dispute over two cases involving his sons – including the fatal shooting of one by a police officer – is alleged to lie at the heart of threats that landed former police officer Efraim Tsibeb behind bars on charges of threatening to kill control prosecutor Kristiana Erastus.

Tsibeb, who remains in custody since his arrest on 12 February, is accused of threatening to inflict on Erastus what befell the late Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who was shot and attacked with corrosive acid in October 2025 before dying from her injuries in February.

Court documents state that Erastus allegedly received a chilling message warning: “Do not let the Ondangwa incident repeat itself in Grootfontein. Transfer yourself; even your own colleagues and the Grootfontein community don't like you. Go early before it's late.”

Namibian Sun understands that tensions between Tsibeb and Erastus had escalated over two separate matters involving his sons.

In one case, his son allegedly became involved in a physical altercation with a cousin, with both parties opening counter-cases. Although the two reportedly withdrew their complaints, Erastus allegedly refused to withdraw the charges, a decision said to have angered Tsibeb.

In a second and more serious matter, Tsibeb’s son was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer last year. Sources close to the case claim Tsibeb believed Erastus was not doing enough to secure the officer’s arrest, citing a lack of evidence. It is further understood that Tsibeb wrote letters to the prosecutor general voicing concerns over the handling of the matter, but allegedly received no satisfactory response.

Prosecution opposes bail

Court records show that Tsibeb made his first appearance on 16 February before magistrate Shiimi Kamutuua Hinda. He was represented by lawyer Murray Shikongo.

The State, initially represented by prosecutor Sofia Tenga, opposed bail, arguing that there is a prima facie case against the accused and expressing concern that he could interfere with State witnesses and ongoing investigations.

The prosecution further submitted that Tsibeb posed a flight risk and that granting bail would not be in the interests of justice. Bail was subsequently refused and Tsibeb was remanded in custody.

The State also applied for Tsibeb's transfer from Grootfontein to Tsumeb, arguing that, as a former police officer, his safety could be at risk if he remained in local holding facilities.

The defence objected, saying such a transfer required proper justification and prior notice.

Shikongo further questioned the lawfulness of the arrest and detention, arguing that the charges were malicious and did not meet the legal requirements to sustain a prosecution and that the matter should be struck from the roll.

Courtroom

When the matter resumed on 19 February, with prosecutor Oscar Sinvula appearing for the State, the defence formally objected to the charges in terms of Section 85 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

On the first count, relating to written notes allegedly directed at Erastus, the defence argued that the charge does not disclose an offence because it lacks the element of an immediate threat. Shikongo submitted that no weapon was found and that the notes amounted, at most, to a future or general threat rather than one capable of immediate execution.

On the second count – described in court as involving murder or conspiracy – the defence argued that the charge was vague and defective, as no deceased person had been identified. Shikongo questioned how a charge of murder could stand without naming a victim, arguing that the essential elements of the offence were absent.

The State countered that the charge sheet contains the essential averments required by law and that issues of immediacy and proof are matters for trial. The prosecution further argued that conspiracy is a statutory offence that does not require the contemplated crime to have been completed.

Proceedings grew tense when the defence applied for the recusal of magistrate Hinda, alleging a reasonable apprehension of bias.

The State rejected the allegation, maintaining that the magistrate was properly exercising control of proceedings and that no reasonable apprehension of bias had been demonstrated.

Tsibeb’s formal bail application has been set for 9 to 13 March.

A trail of controversy

In May 2023, a physical altercation involving Tsibeb, alongside his son Patrick Tsibeb, and then Grootfontein municipal CEO Kisco Sinvula reportedly left the Tsibebs hospitalised.

The incident occurred shortly after Sinvula resumed duties, following a High Court ruling that overturned his suspension – a decision that allegedly displeased the Tsibebs. The father and son subsequently opened a police case in connection to the violent confrontation.