Internal police probe into suspect killings
An internal police enquiry is underway after police officers fatally shot two suspected armed robbers near Rundu on Monday.
Kavango East police crime coordinator, deputy commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, confirmed the incident and probe.
“A case of murder had to be opened because there was loss of life. The investigation is underway to determine what really happened and whether the actions of the officers was justifiable,” Kanyetu said.
The police declined to say at this stage how many officers were involved in the shooting, and how many have been charged.
Kanyetu said the suspects were shot after they did not stop their vehicle at a mobile roadblock.
The police claim that the suspects produced firearms and pointed it at police at the scene, who responded by firing their weapons.
Once the investigation is complete, the report will be handed over to the office of the prosecutor-general to decide whether to prosecute anyone.
Resist
The police alleged that the deceased men, identified as Heiky Panduleni Shikongo (39) and Oletu Nuukwawo Andreas (43), were driving in a BMW along with two other men on Monday night. They were allegedly heading towards a government agriculture farm where they planned to stage a robbery.
Namibian Sun understands the police erected the mobile roadblock, about 15 kilometres east of Rundu, following a tip off about the planned robbery.
The car arrived at around 21:45 and the driver was ordered to stop.
Two police officers approached the vehicle, and it is alleged that Shikongo, who was driving, tried to trick the police by hinting that he was opening the door, but instead he pressed on the accelerator.
The police officer on Shikongo’s side then allegedly grabbed him whilst another officer tried to open the passenger door where Andreas was seated.
It is alleged that police then heard a gun being cocked inside the vehicle, which led to the fatal shooting of the two suspects.
Deadly ending
Apart from the unlicensed firearm and ammunition discovered in the vehicle after the fatal incident, the police also discovered house breaking equipment in the car.
Namibian Sun was told that Shikongo was employed by the Namibia Defence Force but was on suspension at the time of his death.
Andreas had earlier police encounters, with several criminal cases related to his alleged crimes pending at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court.
The two men who were travelling in the car with Shikongo and Andreas, tried to flee, but were arrested shortly after the shooting. They are due to make their first court appearance within days.
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Kavango East police crime coordinator, deputy commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, confirmed the incident and probe.
“A case of murder had to be opened because there was loss of life. The investigation is underway to determine what really happened and whether the actions of the officers was justifiable,” Kanyetu said.
The police declined to say at this stage how many officers were involved in the shooting, and how many have been charged.
Kanyetu said the suspects were shot after they did not stop their vehicle at a mobile roadblock.
The police claim that the suspects produced firearms and pointed it at police at the scene, who responded by firing their weapons.
Once the investigation is complete, the report will be handed over to the office of the prosecutor-general to decide whether to prosecute anyone.
Resist
The police alleged that the deceased men, identified as Heiky Panduleni Shikongo (39) and Oletu Nuukwawo Andreas (43), were driving in a BMW along with two other men on Monday night. They were allegedly heading towards a government agriculture farm where they planned to stage a robbery.
Namibian Sun understands the police erected the mobile roadblock, about 15 kilometres east of Rundu, following a tip off about the planned robbery.
The car arrived at around 21:45 and the driver was ordered to stop.
Two police officers approached the vehicle, and it is alleged that Shikongo, who was driving, tried to trick the police by hinting that he was opening the door, but instead he pressed on the accelerator.
The police officer on Shikongo’s side then allegedly grabbed him whilst another officer tried to open the passenger door where Andreas was seated.
It is alleged that police then heard a gun being cocked inside the vehicle, which led to the fatal shooting of the two suspects.
Deadly ending
Apart from the unlicensed firearm and ammunition discovered in the vehicle after the fatal incident, the police also discovered house breaking equipment in the car.
Namibian Sun was told that Shikongo was employed by the Namibia Defence Force but was on suspension at the time of his death.
Andreas had earlier police encounters, with several criminal cases related to his alleged crimes pending at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court.
The two men who were travelling in the car with Shikongo and Andreas, tried to flee, but were arrested shortly after the shooting. They are due to make their first court appearance within days.
[email protected]
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