Manhunt after woman’s body found dumped behind Outjo fire station

A 21-year-old woman was found murdered in Outjo on Saturday morning, police have confirmed.

The body of Florencia Jacobs was discovered behind the Sophia Shaningwa Fire Station at about 07:30 on 31 January.

In its weekend crime report, the Namibian Police said she was found naked and had sustained multiple injuries to her head and face. Her clothes were found scattered nearby.

“It is suspected that the deceased was assaulted several times, possibly with a stone,” police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said. “No arrests have been made at this stage, and the investigation is continuing.”

Shikwambi added that heavy rainfall had compromised the crime scene. “No footprints could be observed due to rain,” she said. The murder was among several shocking incidents reported nationwide between Friday and Sunday.

Police also reported a serious breach of trust involving a serving officer at Tutaleni Police Station, where a constable allegedly smuggled cannabis into holding cells and handed it to a trial-awaiting inmate. “The police member fled the scene and has not yet been arrested,” Shikwambi said, adding that the drugs were seized and investigations were ongoing.

In Karibib, five armed men allegedly broke into a home, tied up the owner and robbed him of electronics, cash and foreign currency.

The suspects fled in a vehicle without number plates and were later pursued by police before abandoning the car near the Karibib bridge and disappearing into nearby bushes.

“The vehicle was later identified as one being used as a Yango taxi in Windhoek,” Shikwambi said. “The assigned driver cannot be traced, and his cellphone is switched off.”

A large-scale armed robbery was also reported in Klein Windhoek, where six masked suspects reportedly forced entry into a residence by lifting a gate off its rail. Two occupants were threatened with knives and robbed of property valued at more than N$150 000.

Tragic accidents

Road fatalities further added to the grim weekend.

On the Omaruru–Karibib main road, a collision between two vehicles claimed the lives of three occupants of a VW Jetta. Several others sustained serious injuries. Police suspect reckless driving and alcohol may have played a role. “The surviving driver was not found in possession of a driver’s licence and blood samples were taken,” Shikwambi said.

In the Ohangwena region, a young passenger died after a vehicle transporting heavy loads lost control and overturned. The driver survived and tested negative for alcohol.

Police also recorded multiple inquest cases involving deaths by suicide, as well as the death of a 16-year-old boy who was struck by lightning while herding livestock. “No foul play is suspected in these cases,” Shikwambi said.

In another tragic case, a seven-year-old boy drowned in the Hudup River near Maltahöhe while swimming with other children. Police officers later retrieved the child’s body from the river after it became stuck in mud. “The boys were swimming without adult supervision,” Shikwambi confirmed. The body was transported to the Mariental mortuary.