Labour inspector allegedly attacks arbitrator at Rehoboth
Blood spilled at labour commissioner's office
A man reportedly received stitches to his head after an alleged attack that has shocked the southern town.
A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm has been opened at the Rehoboth Police Station after a labour inspector allegedly attacked an arbitrator at the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
Labour inspector Harald Hamauka appeared in court on Monday following his arrest and was granted bail of N$2 000 for assaulting Doinsyius Louw, who required three stitches for a head wound sustained during an altercation at the Rehoboth duty station on Friday.
Louw, who had previously opened a case of assault by threat against Hamauka in 2023, explained in an incident report submitted to Lydia Indombo, the executive director of the labour ministry, that Hamauka had allegedly entered his office at approximately 10:30 and confronted him about a document he had apparently found at the photocopy machine.
“He demanded to know why I had and continue to report him to you (Indombo). I told him that I do not have to explain myself to him and politely asked him to leave my office.”
Alleged attack recounted
According to Louw, Hamauka then turned around, and it appeared he was leaving the office.
However, according to the account, "he did not exit my office but only walked towards the door, closed it, then moved quickly towards me with a black object in his hand and hit me on my head. He also grabbed a big stapler on my desk and continued the attack. I stood up, walked around my table and tried to disarm him, but he refused to let go of the big stapler. I then opened the door in a bid to remove him from my office, as he was clearly a danger to my safety.”
Louw alleged that once Hamauka was in the corridor, he dropped the stapler and ran away, apparently after spotting a colleague approaching.
“I reported the matter to my colleagues and to the police, who informed me to visit the police station.”
Bloody encounter
He was subsequently picked up by police officers, who advised him to visit the clinic, as he was bleeding.
He received stitches and then went to the police station to file a criminal charge against Hamauka, where he learned that Hamauka had also opened a case against him.
Louw claims he had informed Indombo multiple times about Hamauka's alleged threatening behaviour, but claims that no action was taken.
“This attack did not come without prior warning. Over the past several weeks, I repeatedly expressed my concerns about my personal safety and have loads of emails to prove it," he noted.
Indombo said she was unaware of any complaints submitted by Louw.
“I was completely caught by surprise when I learned what transpired in our Rehoboth office. Louw is supposed to be stationed in Keetmanshoop and Hamauka’s version completely differs from his. An investigation will determine the truth and internal processes will be followed,” she said.
Calls made to Hamauka to obtain his version of what transpired went unanswered.
Labour inspector Harald Hamauka appeared in court on Monday following his arrest and was granted bail of N$2 000 for assaulting Doinsyius Louw, who required three stitches for a head wound sustained during an altercation at the Rehoboth duty station on Friday.
Louw, who had previously opened a case of assault by threat against Hamauka in 2023, explained in an incident report submitted to Lydia Indombo, the executive director of the labour ministry, that Hamauka had allegedly entered his office at approximately 10:30 and confronted him about a document he had apparently found at the photocopy machine.
“He demanded to know why I had and continue to report him to you (Indombo). I told him that I do not have to explain myself to him and politely asked him to leave my office.”
Alleged attack recounted
According to Louw, Hamauka then turned around, and it appeared he was leaving the office.
However, according to the account, "he did not exit my office but only walked towards the door, closed it, then moved quickly towards me with a black object in his hand and hit me on my head. He also grabbed a big stapler on my desk and continued the attack. I stood up, walked around my table and tried to disarm him, but he refused to let go of the big stapler. I then opened the door in a bid to remove him from my office, as he was clearly a danger to my safety.”
Louw alleged that once Hamauka was in the corridor, he dropped the stapler and ran away, apparently after spotting a colleague approaching.
“I reported the matter to my colleagues and to the police, who informed me to visit the police station.”
Bloody encounter
He was subsequently picked up by police officers, who advised him to visit the clinic, as he was bleeding.
He received stitches and then went to the police station to file a criminal charge against Hamauka, where he learned that Hamauka had also opened a case against him.
Louw claims he had informed Indombo multiple times about Hamauka's alleged threatening behaviour, but claims that no action was taken.
“This attack did not come without prior warning. Over the past several weeks, I repeatedly expressed my concerns about my personal safety and have loads of emails to prove it," he noted.
Indombo said she was unaware of any complaints submitted by Louw.
“I was completely caught by surprise when I learned what transpired in our Rehoboth office. Louw is supposed to be stationed in Keetmanshoop and Hamauka’s version completely differs from his. An investigation will determine the truth and internal processes will be followed,” she said.
Calls made to Hamauka to obtain his version of what transpired went unanswered.
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