Autopsy casts doubt on initial police account of Rehoboth stabbing, suicide
Man sustained 14 stab wounds
A Rehoboth family is strongly disputing an initial police account of a fatal stabbing earlier this month after a forensic post-mortem report appeared to contradict claims that their relative died from self-inflicted stab wounds.
The police’s initial report, issued shortly after the 5 December incident, said that 26-year-old George Haubab had allegedly stabbed his former girlfriend and her companion before turning the knife on himself.
The alleged victims survived the incident, police said, and were reported to be in critical condition.
However, the Haubab family have since released the post-mortem findings on social media, saying the report suggests their relative was assaulted and murdered.
The report raises questions about whether the 14 stab wounds sustained by Haubab were self-inflicted and appears to indicate Haubab suffered several defensive wounds.
This has triggered a public outcry.
The incident occurred on Friday on 2nd Street, Block E, Rehoboth, leaving Haubab dead.
“It is alleged that the deceased arrived at his then girlfriend’s home, found her with another man, and immediately launched a violent attack,” the initial police report had stated. “The male victim managed to escape but sustained serious injuries. The woman was also stabbed multiple times. Both remain in critical condition in a Windhoek hospital.”
Neighbours at the time told police they fled after Haubab allegedly threatened them with an okapi knife. He reportedly collapsed nearby and died before paramedics arrived.
Initial findings not final
On Friday, amid growing public outcry, police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi urged restraint, stressing that initial police reports are not conclusive while investigations are ongoing.
She also criticised the circulation of the confidential autopsy report on social media.
“First and foremost, I strongly condemn the circulation of sensitive and confidential autopsy results on social media. While the distress and outcry are noted, the dissemination of such information, especially that forming part of an ongoing investigation, is not encouraged.”
The deputy commissioner explained that crime reports are based on real-time information available at the time, often provided quickly to respond to media queries.
“These are preliminary reports. Such information is subject to change. This is why we often state: ‘Police investigation continues,' indicating that the situation may evolve as new evidence is gathered."
Shikwambi stressed that investigations are gradual processes, involving evidence collection and witness statements.
“Suggesting that our updates are contradictory somehow undermines our diligent efforts to respond, share, update and keep the public informed,” she noted. “In the end, the truth will always be known.”
Forensic findings
The autopsy report issued by the Namibian Police Force’s Forensic Pathology Division and seen by Namibian Sun confirmed that Haubab sustained 14 stab wounds, including four fatal injuries to the heart, chest and neck.
The medical certificate concluded that Haubab died from a major laceration of the heart accompanied by haemopericardium, as well as a lacerated internal jugular vein and significant bleeding in the chest cavity. These injuries were described as the result of an assault involving a knife.
A detailed medico-legal examination conducted by forensic pathologist Dr Soraya Cher Podewiltz documented deep chest wounds penetrating the thoracic cavity, including two that pierced the right ventricle of the heart and another that entered the upper lobe of the right lung. Sharp-force injuries to the neck were also confirmed.
Suicide disputed, petition launched
The Haubab family has since submitted a petition to the acting police commissioner in Mariental, arguing that the initial police report “lacked credibility” and failed to reflect the true circumstances of Haubab's death.
They further argued that law enforcement failed to collect statements from all relevant parties before releasing the initial report, undermining confidence in the early investigative process.
Responding to the family’s concerns, Shikwambi reiterated that crime reports issued over weekends are preliminary and subject to revision.
“Once an investigation is launched, the facts surrounding a matter may change,” she said, adding that the police will continue to investigate the incident thoroughly.
The two surviving victims remain in critical condition in a Windhoek hospital, while the probe into Haubab’s death, now under heightened scrutiny, continues.
The police’s initial report, issued shortly after the 5 December incident, said that 26-year-old George Haubab had allegedly stabbed his former girlfriend and her companion before turning the knife on himself.
The alleged victims survived the incident, police said, and were reported to be in critical condition.
However, the Haubab family have since released the post-mortem findings on social media, saying the report suggests their relative was assaulted and murdered.
The report raises questions about whether the 14 stab wounds sustained by Haubab were self-inflicted and appears to indicate Haubab suffered several defensive wounds.
This has triggered a public outcry.
The incident occurred on Friday on 2nd Street, Block E, Rehoboth, leaving Haubab dead.
“It is alleged that the deceased arrived at his then girlfriend’s home, found her with another man, and immediately launched a violent attack,” the initial police report had stated. “The male victim managed to escape but sustained serious injuries. The woman was also stabbed multiple times. Both remain in critical condition in a Windhoek hospital.”
Neighbours at the time told police they fled after Haubab allegedly threatened them with an okapi knife. He reportedly collapsed nearby and died before paramedics arrived.
Initial findings not final
On Friday, amid growing public outcry, police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi urged restraint, stressing that initial police reports are not conclusive while investigations are ongoing.
She also criticised the circulation of the confidential autopsy report on social media.
“First and foremost, I strongly condemn the circulation of sensitive and confidential autopsy results on social media. While the distress and outcry are noted, the dissemination of such information, especially that forming part of an ongoing investigation, is not encouraged.”
The deputy commissioner explained that crime reports are based on real-time information available at the time, often provided quickly to respond to media queries.
“These are preliminary reports. Such information is subject to change. This is why we often state: ‘Police investigation continues,' indicating that the situation may evolve as new evidence is gathered."
Shikwambi stressed that investigations are gradual processes, involving evidence collection and witness statements.
“Suggesting that our updates are contradictory somehow undermines our diligent efforts to respond, share, update and keep the public informed,” she noted. “In the end, the truth will always be known.”
Forensic findings
The autopsy report issued by the Namibian Police Force’s Forensic Pathology Division and seen by Namibian Sun confirmed that Haubab sustained 14 stab wounds, including four fatal injuries to the heart, chest and neck.
The medical certificate concluded that Haubab died from a major laceration of the heart accompanied by haemopericardium, as well as a lacerated internal jugular vein and significant bleeding in the chest cavity. These injuries were described as the result of an assault involving a knife.
A detailed medico-legal examination conducted by forensic pathologist Dr Soraya Cher Podewiltz documented deep chest wounds penetrating the thoracic cavity, including two that pierced the right ventricle of the heart and another that entered the upper lobe of the right lung. Sharp-force injuries to the neck were also confirmed.
Suicide disputed, petition launched
The Haubab family has since submitted a petition to the acting police commissioner in Mariental, arguing that the initial police report “lacked credibility” and failed to reflect the true circumstances of Haubab's death.
They further argued that law enforcement failed to collect statements from all relevant parties before releasing the initial report, undermining confidence in the early investigative process.
Responding to the family’s concerns, Shikwambi reiterated that crime reports issued over weekends are preliminary and subject to revision.
“Once an investigation is launched, the facts surrounding a matter may change,” she said, adding that the police will continue to investigate the incident thoroughly.
The two surviving victims remain in critical condition in a Windhoek hospital, while the probe into Haubab’s death, now under heightened scrutiny, continues.
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