Smoking pensioner dies in shack fire
Family suspects late-night cigarette to blame
"The possibility is that he might have placed the cigarette on the blankets, causing the fire which burned down his shack," Inspector Thomas Aiyambo said.
A 97-year-old man died when he burned beyond recognition after his corrugated iron room caught fire at Okamule village in the Oshana Region.
Oshana community affairs officer, Inspector Thomas Aiyambo, said the incident occurred at around 04:00 on Sunday.
“It is alleged that the deceased slept alone in his bedroom and was a habitual smoker,” he said.
Family members suspect the deceased might have been smoking during the early morning hours, he added.
“The possibility is that he might have placed the cigarette on the blankets, causing the fire which burned down his shack.”
Aiyambo said according to preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected. An inquest docket has been opened.
Corrupt police
Meanwhile, two police officers have been arrested for allegedly corruptly using their office or position for gratification after they conspired to falsely complete an accident report.
He said the pair - a 43-year-old male officer and a 33-year-old female sergeant – were deployed at the Oshakati Police Station and the Oshakati criminal investigation unit respectively.
Aiyambo said the owner of a vehicle approached the duo to make a false statement with intention to get a payout from their insurance firm.
The two allegedly received the first payment of N$1 700 and another payment of N$1 000 “as a reward for having done or omitted to do anything”.
The incidents of fraud took place between August and 19 September at unknown times at the Oshakati Police Station.
The officers are expected to appear in Oshakati Magistrate’s Court this week, he said.
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Oshana community affairs officer, Inspector Thomas Aiyambo, said the incident occurred at around 04:00 on Sunday.
“It is alleged that the deceased slept alone in his bedroom and was a habitual smoker,” he said.
Family members suspect the deceased might have been smoking during the early morning hours, he added.
“The possibility is that he might have placed the cigarette on the blankets, causing the fire which burned down his shack.”
Aiyambo said according to preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected. An inquest docket has been opened.
Corrupt police
Meanwhile, two police officers have been arrested for allegedly corruptly using their office or position for gratification after they conspired to falsely complete an accident report.
He said the pair - a 43-year-old male officer and a 33-year-old female sergeant – were deployed at the Oshakati Police Station and the Oshakati criminal investigation unit respectively.
Aiyambo said the owner of a vehicle approached the duo to make a false statement with intention to get a payout from their insurance firm.
The two allegedly received the first payment of N$1 700 and another payment of N$1 000 “as a reward for having done or omitted to do anything”.
The incidents of fraud took place between August and 19 September at unknown times at the Oshakati Police Station.
The officers are expected to appear in Oshakati Magistrate’s Court this week, he said.
– [email protected]
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