The rise and fall of ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile

Compared to the average Namibian 'Joe Sixpack', Dr Fillemon ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile – now at the centre of one of the country's most consequential criminal cases in recent history – appeared destined for a life of comfort and professional esteem.

Raised in Oniipa by working-class parents, Nakanduungile completed high school in Grootfontein before continuing his studies in Cuba on a government scholarship. There, he trained as a medical doctor and graduated in 2013 as a general medical practitioner.

On his return to Namibia, he built what many would regard as an enviable life: a qualified doctor with a promising future, tasked with healing the sick and rewarded handsomely for the privilege. For a time, his trajectory mirrored that of many young professionals groomed for public service excellence.

Fast-forward to 2025, however, and the father of four has become one of the most polarising figures straddling the country’s healthcare and criminal justice systems.

He now faces a raft of allegations ranging from fraud and insurance manipulation to links with violent crime, including the attempted murder of Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda. Shiweda has been in and out of intensive care since being shot and attacked with a highly corrosive acidic substance, resulting in more than five surgeries.

Reputation begins to crumble

Having practised in several parts of the country, Nakanduungile’s medical career has increasingly been overshadowed by claims of professional misconduct and criminality.

A Namibian Sun investigation found that he worked in Windhoek, including a stint under renowned physician Dr David Uirab.

During that time, he allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for circumcisions that were never performed, reportedly to secure NGO funding that remunerated clinicians per procedure.

The claims were later uncovered, and he, along with others implicated, was ordered to repay the funds, inflicting both financial and reputational damage.

He later worked at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital from 2016 to 2018, but reportedly left under a cloud. During a bail hearing, Oshana police detective chief inspector Antonius Gabriel told the court that investigators had taken statements from senior medical staff, including the hospital’s medical superintendent, regarding Nakanduungile’s tenure.

It is alleged that he left Oshakati and commenced employment at Onandjokwe Hospital in 2019. There, further allegations emerged, including misuse of his position, improper treatment of Angolan patients, insurance fraud and irregular leave practices.

“He started working at Onandjokwe in 2019 but resigned in December 2024 before he could face disciplinary charges,” an official familiar with these allegations said.

Gabriel told the court that it was during this period that Nakanduungile allegedly defrauded Sanlam Namibia and unlawfully removed patients from the hospital’s surgical waiting list.

“After this was discovered, he resigned before appearing before a disciplinary committee. He cited further studies as the reason,” the investigator testified.

After leaving public service, Nakanduungile briefly worked at Ongwediva Medipark, where he was reportedly on a call list to assist when required. Sources said his contract was not renewed due to alleged unreliability, leading to his departure.

‘Funny things’

He then joined Ondangwa Private Hospital for approximately three months – a facility that emphasises professionalism and integrity in its mission. Court testimony indicated that he was dismissed after allegedly accepting payment from an Angolan patient for blood tests and altering another patient’s results to match the paying client. The incident was reportedly uncovered before further harm could occur.

“That’s when he went on to open his own practice, where he was doing all the ‘funny things’ mentioned in court,” a source close to the matter said.

Those “funny things”, prosecutors alleged during his recent bail hearing, included providing a room where his incarcerated friend and former police officer Abner ‘Kapilili’ Mateus allegedly had sex with his girlfriend. Mateus was escorted to the doctor under the pretext of receiving medical treatment.

Arrest amid horror attack

The most severe blow to Nakanduungile’s medical standing came with his arrest on 25 November 2025 in connection with the violent attack on Shiweda. Police have linked him to the planning and execution of the attempted murder and acid attack carried out on 17 October 2025, which left the prosecutor with life-threatening injuries.

Prosecutors further allege he played a role in a failed N$100 000 bail bribe intended to secure Mateus’s release. Investigators have also linked him to a N$1.2 million fraudulent insurance claim involving Sanlam Namibia, with portions of the proceeds allegedly deposited into accounts associated with his family.

Bail has been opposed on grounds that he poses a flight risk, citing frequent travel to Angola, limited fixed assets in Namibia and concerns he could interfere with ongoing investigations. These fears led to his recent transfer to a Grootfontein prison after allegations surfaced of a plot to bribe police officers to facilitate his escape from Ondangwa police cells.

Prosecutors allege that Nakanduungile – who has denied all charges – conspired in the attack on Shiweda, whom he knew personally and allegedly contacted via text message days after the incident. It was further alleged that the attack was planned at his Ondangwa home and masterminded by Mateus from behind bars.

What was once a career anchored in sworn medical duty has now veered sharply into the realm of attempted murder and conspiracy. As one of six accused before the courts, Nakanduungile’s path from clinic to courtroom threatens to extinguish what remains of a career long punctuated by controversy.

His co-accused are Lukas Nekwiyu, Petrus Uusiku, Nghilifavali Johannes and Petrus Shikwaya.

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