NamPol, City cops arrested over civilian deaths
A Namibian Police officer has been arrested for allegedly fatally shooting a truck co-driver on Sunday night in the Ohangwena Region.
In a separate incident in Windhoek, a City Police officer has been denied bail after allegedly running over a man who had reportedly snatched his wife's cellphone. The incident took place on 1 May.
According to a preliminary police report, the Ohangwena shooting took place at around 22:00 at the Onhuno Road traffic checkpoint after a southbound truck was stopped for a routine inspection.
Namibian Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said the driver of the truck was asked to produce his driver's licence and weighbridge documents. While he presented a valid licence, he reportedly failed to produce the weighbridge paperwork.
The officer then instructed the driver to park the vehicle at the roadside and return with the required documents. After parking the truck, the driver returned to collect his licence. During this exchange, his co-driver joined the conversation and allegedly began arguing with the officer.
Alleged chain of events
Shikwambi said the officer reportedly instructed the pair to return to the weighbridge in line with procedure. The co-driver got back into the truck, turned it around to face north, and parked it again before reportedly returning to continue the argument.
“He allegedly hurled insults at the officer and accused him of targeting him unfairly,” Shikwambi said.
A physical altercation reportedly ensued but was broken up by the driver of the truck.
The co-driver then jumped into the truck and allegedly drove towards a police officer standing in the road. She fled to avoid being struck.
In response, another police officer drew his firearm and fired at the truck. The bullet struck the co-driver in the stomach, fatally wounding him.
The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Namibian Eliud Hamukwaya. The officer involved, a 43-year-old police sergeant – who cannot be named pending his court appearance – has since been arrested. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
City cop denied bail
In a separate incident in Windhoek, City Police officer Collin Kavari was arrested after allegedly running over a man along Mungunda Street in Katutura. The man, who died in the incident, had reportedly snatched Kavari’s wife's mobile phone.
City Police Superintendent Marcelline Kiddy Murapo confirmed the arrest and said bail was denied.
“At this stage, we cannot confirm whether the incident was intentional or connected to the alleged phone theft. We are also unable to confirm whether the officer was under the influence of alcohol at the time,” Murapo told Namibian Sun yesterday.
- Additional reporting by Nikanor Nangolo
In a separate incident in Windhoek, a City Police officer has been denied bail after allegedly running over a man who had reportedly snatched his wife's cellphone. The incident took place on 1 May.
According to a preliminary police report, the Ohangwena shooting took place at around 22:00 at the Onhuno Road traffic checkpoint after a southbound truck was stopped for a routine inspection.
Namibian Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said the driver of the truck was asked to produce his driver's licence and weighbridge documents. While he presented a valid licence, he reportedly failed to produce the weighbridge paperwork.
The officer then instructed the driver to park the vehicle at the roadside and return with the required documents. After parking the truck, the driver returned to collect his licence. During this exchange, his co-driver joined the conversation and allegedly began arguing with the officer.
Alleged chain of events
Shikwambi said the officer reportedly instructed the pair to return to the weighbridge in line with procedure. The co-driver got back into the truck, turned it around to face north, and parked it again before reportedly returning to continue the argument.
“He allegedly hurled insults at the officer and accused him of targeting him unfairly,” Shikwambi said.
A physical altercation reportedly ensued but was broken up by the driver of the truck.
The co-driver then jumped into the truck and allegedly drove towards a police officer standing in the road. She fled to avoid being struck.
In response, another police officer drew his firearm and fired at the truck. The bullet struck the co-driver in the stomach, fatally wounding him.
The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Namibian Eliud Hamukwaya. The officer involved, a 43-year-old police sergeant – who cannot be named pending his court appearance – has since been arrested. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
City cop denied bail
In a separate incident in Windhoek, City Police officer Collin Kavari was arrested after allegedly running over a man along Mungunda Street in Katutura. The man, who died in the incident, had reportedly snatched Kavari’s wife's mobile phone.
City Police Superintendent Marcelline Kiddy Murapo confirmed the arrest and said bail was denied.
“At this stage, we cannot confirm whether the incident was intentional or connected to the alleged phone theft. We are also unable to confirm whether the officer was under the influence of alcohol at the time,” Murapo told Namibian Sun yesterday.
- Additional reporting by Nikanor Nangolo
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Asserkapula Maseka
God have mercy upon Namibia