Shooter running out of bullets saved Nashandi’s life

Tuyeimo HaidulaIIKOKOLAAn eyewitness to the fatal shooting at Iikokola village in the Onayena area of the Oshikoto Region has revealed that he and village headman I-Ben Nashand, who is the executive director in the National Planning Commission, survived the attack only because the alleged shooter ran out of bullets. Another man died on the spot.The shooter allegedly went around the village looking for more bullets, under the pretext that he was going to slaughter cattle.Namibian Sun visited the scene on Saturday and spoke to David Nangombe, who was present when the confrontation over a land dispute turned deadly on Friday morning. Nangombe said Nashandi and his assistant headman, Sam Pendapala Nepando (53), had gone to the suspect’s homestead to discuss a long-standing dispute involving an illegally extended fence of a mahangu field. Nepando is a former ministry of finance official.The fence, he said, had been cordoned off last year without permission. “There was no community meeting or traditional court hearing as people first reported. They had just gone to speak to him and try to find a solution,” Nangombe said.According to Nangombe, the two leaders warned that allowing the fence to remain would set a dangerous precedent in the village, as others would begin extending their boundaries, leading to chaos. The alleged shooter, a 59-year-old former mine worker who cannot be named pending his court appearance today, questioned who would refund him for the money he had spent on labour and materials if he removed the fence.“Before anyone could answer, he insulted them, saying ‘omuna omatudhi’ (you are a fool of sh*t),” Nangombe recalled. “Then he started shooting. The gun was already cocked.”He said the suspect appeared to have come prepared. “He was wearing a long jacket and had the gun hidden. It looked like he had planned this,” Nangombe said. The first shot struck Nashandi in the abdomen. Despite his injuries, Nashandi managed to flee and hide in nearby bushes.Moments later, the suspect turned the gun on Nepando, shooting him in the chest. Nepando collapsed and died at the scene. “The only reason I [and Nshandi] survived was because the gun ran out of bullets,” Nangombe said.He added that even after the shooting, the suspect continued shouting insults and calling out to Nashandi, who was still hiding. When the shooter eventually walked away, Nangombe returned to Nepando, who was writhing in pain on the ground. “I couldn’t help him. I just helplessly watched him die while looking for his car keys, but they were nowhere to be found,” Nangombe said.“At some point he asked me to cover him with an umbrella as he rotated in the sand, trying to numb the pain.” Nashandi later ran to a nearby house for refuge before being transported to Onandjokwe State Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.Villagers later told Nangombe that the suspect allegedly went around the village after the incident asking friends for more bullets, reportedly claiming he wanted to shoot one of his cattle. According to a Namibian Police report, the incident occurred on 3 January 2026 at around 13:03. A case of murder and attempted murder has been opened. Police confirmed that Nashandi, Nepando and their secretary had gone to the suspect’s residence to engage him after he refused to remove the fence as previously ordered.During the engagement, an argument erupted, leading the suspect to draw a 9mm pistol and open fire. Police recovered a Baikal 9mm pistol, believed to be the murder weapon, discarded in bushes near the scene. It is yet to be confirmed whether the firearm is licensed. The suspect has since been arrested. Namibian Sun conducted a basic measurement at the scene and established that the additional fenced-off area measures approximately 43 feet length by five feet width.Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi described Nepando’s death as a brutal loss of a leader who was trying to bring justice to his community. “The news shocked me. People should learn to sit around the table and solve issues amicably. Killing is never the solution,” Kathindi said.The governor visited Nashandi in hospital and later paid a condolence visit to Nepando’s family. When Namibian Sun visited the homestead of the alleged shooter, his wife was still recovering from the shock and had to be rushed to hospital for medical attention on Friday shortly after the incident.She was still in no condition to talk when the news crew visited and said she is still to give a statement to the police and will only be able to do so once she has recovered. Nepando is survived by his wife and five children.- tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Shooter running out of bullets saved Nashandi’s life

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-07

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Shooter running out of bullets saved Nashandi’s life

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-07

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