Three dead in suspected lightning strikes

Namibian Police reported a series of serious incidents over the weekend, including two alleged rapes, three suspected lightning deaths, and several robberies and assaults across the country.

In Okakarara, a 26-year-old man was arrested after a 22-year-old woman was reportedly dragged from a bar to his home in Okakango location on Friday around 22:00. The suspect allegedly threatened to kill her, locked her inside and raped her.

In Katima Mulilo’s Lisikili area, another alleged rape allegedly occurred on Friday at approximately 21:00. A 22-year-old woman was reportedly pulled into bushes along a tarred road and raped while walking home from a bar. She was rescued by a friend who heard her scream. The suspect fled and remains at large.

At least three people died after suspected lightning strikes over the weekend, according to a Namibian police report.

On Friday, the body of 13-year-old Joseph Kandjila was found under a tree at Oshiti shaHaihonya village in Okongo. Later the same day, 56-year-old Marando Bernhard Dikoro was discovered under a tree behind a filling station in Divundu.

On Saturday, 28 February, Rarufa Munango died instantly after being struck by lightning while tending cattle at Ntara village in the Musese constituency of Kavango West.

The police also reported that on Friday afternoon, a 20-year-old man was robbed at gun- and knifepoint at the Katutura Youth Complex. His cellphone and N$1 300 in cash were stolen. No arrests have been made.

In Brakwater, in the early hours of Saturday, suspects allegedly assaulted security guards at Youth with a Mission, locked them in an office, and stole electronic equipment, bank cards, a money safe, cellphones and petty cash.

A housebreaking was also reported in Millennium Park, Rundu, on Friday, where items valued at N$42 000 were stolen after burglars allegedly forced entry through burglar bars.

Road offences and drug arrests

A 29-year-old driver was arrested Friday afternoon in Otjiwarongo for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and colliding with a 28-year-old pedestrian who was working on the road. The victim was treated at Otjiwarongo State Hospital and later discharged.

In Omulunga, Grootfontein, a 36-year-old woman driving without a valid licence allegedly knocked over a two-year-old boy crossing the road. She was issued a fine.

Another pedestrian was injured on Saturday, along Sam Nujoma Drive in Omulunga, when a 51-year-old motorist allegedly struck a 48-year-old woman crossing the road. She was taken to Grootfontein State Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.

In Aranos, two drug-related arrests were made on Friday in Nuwerus location. A 21-year-old man was arrested after allegedly being found in possession of 63 bankies of cannabis and mandrax tablets valued at N$4 140, as well as N$1 028 in cash believed to be proceeds of crime. Later, a 26-year-old man was arrested in the same area after allegedly being found with 17 bankies of cannabis valued at N$850.

 In a wildlife-related case, a Zambian national was arrested on Friday in the Luhingi Fish Reserve, Zambezi Region, after allegedly being found in possession of a lechwe carcass valued at N$25 000 without a valid permit. Police investigations in all cases are ongoing.