Toddler (2) murdered, body left in crop field

Police are investigating a string of violent incidents across Namibia over the past weekend, including the murder of a two-year-old in northern Namibia.

At Ohalumbele village in Onesi Constituency on Friday, 20 February, the body of toddler Namusha Lydia Ruusa (2) was discovered in a crop field at around 07:50.

According to police, a suspect allegedly entered a room where three children, aged two, 10 and 12, and a blind woman were sleeping. The two-year-old was allegedly taken into a nearby mahangu field, strangled and her body left among the crops. A 31-year-old woman has been detained as a person of interest.

In a separate incident in Kahenge village, Kavango West Region, Rosalia Andonyo (39) was allegedly murdered on Friday night.

Police said the suspect dragged her body into nearby shrubs before fleeing the scene. A 22-year-old man has been detained for questioning.

In Wanaheda, Windhoek, police reported a shooting on Friday, 20 February, at around 23:00 following a quarrel at Kambwa Bar.

“The victim was ferried to the hospital in a critical condition. The suspect is arrested, and the firearm is confiscated,” Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed.

Another attempted murder occurred in Oshakati on Saturday at around 21:00 at GRN Shebeen in Oshandumbala village. A 50-year-old man allegedly struck a 40-year-old man on the head with a hoe handle, causing serious injuries. The suspect remains at large.

Two robberies were reported in Otjomuise on Friday between 10:00 and 11:00.

In the first incident, suspects allegedly stole two iPhones and N$670 in cash, with a total value of N$24 260.

In the second, a vehicle window was smashed and an iPhone 17 valued at N$39 550 was taken. No arrests have been made.

Drugs and wildlife crime

Police made several arrests for drug possession. In Soweto, Windhoek, a 28-year-old man was arrested on Friday at around 10:00 after being found in possession of 20 grams of cannabis valued at N$1 000.

At Aris Farm in Windhoek Rural at around 13:30 the same day, a 26-year-old man was arrested after reportedly being found in possession of 1760 grams of cannabis valued at N$17 000.

In Oshakati on Saturday at about 17:45, a 55-year-old teacher was arrested after allegedly offering to sell two elephant tusks to an undercover operative. “The tusks were confiscated. Police investigations continue,” police said.