Veteran discovers human remains in his backyard at Okongo
Okongo-based veteran of the liberation struggle, Nathanael Nikodemus, discovered human remains in his backyard while digging a hole for a septic tank.
Nikodemus informed Nambian Sun yesterday that he discovered the remains on 12 July.
On that day, Nikodemus said he went to the police station in Okongo and reported the matter.
"We are still waiting for them to come. At the moment, I am in contact with someone from the Heritage Council,” he said.
, but he has not received any assistance since.
“I was busy digging a hole for the construction of a septic tank and only to discover these human remains,” Nikodemus said.
No problem with the grave
Nikodemus explained that he does not entirely have a problem with the human remains being in his backyard since it reminds him of the days of the liberation struggle.
However, he said, for young family members it is traumatising.
“I don’t have a problem with the grave being here and properly fenced off, but the challenge remains my other family members, especially the young ones, who have been traumatised by this discovery,” Nikodemus explained.
Nikodemus’ house is about 500 metres from the former South African Army base at Okongo.
He thinks that the remains are those of a Swapo People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatant, who was killed near the enemy’s army base and was buried in a shallow grave.
“By the look of the remains and the shallow grave, the deceased was shot in the head from close range since the skull is severely damaged,” he said.
“If you look closely, there is burnt wood in the shallow grave and it suggests that after the soldier was shot, the body was thrown in the shallow grave and subsequently burnt.”
Nikodemus also indicated that the pieces of cloth found in the grave resemble the uniforms worn by PLAN combatants during the liberation struggle.
“I remember this cloth, it is what we used to wear during the armed struggle. This is a body of a fallen soldier.”
Nikodemus called on all stakeholders who can assist him and his family to reach out and help address the issue.
[email protected]
Nikodemus informed Nambian Sun yesterday that he discovered the remains on 12 July.
On that day, Nikodemus said he went to the police station in Okongo and reported the matter.
"We are still waiting for them to come. At the moment, I am in contact with someone from the Heritage Council,” he said.
, but he has not received any assistance since.
“I was busy digging a hole for the construction of a septic tank and only to discover these human remains,” Nikodemus said.
No problem with the grave
Nikodemus explained that he does not entirely have a problem with the human remains being in his backyard since it reminds him of the days of the liberation struggle.
However, he said, for young family members it is traumatising.
“I don’t have a problem with the grave being here and properly fenced off, but the challenge remains my other family members, especially the young ones, who have been traumatised by this discovery,” Nikodemus explained.
Nikodemus’ house is about 500 metres from the former South African Army base at Okongo.
He thinks that the remains are those of a Swapo People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatant, who was killed near the enemy’s army base and was buried in a shallow grave.
“By the look of the remains and the shallow grave, the deceased was shot in the head from close range since the skull is severely damaged,” he said.
“If you look closely, there is burnt wood in the shallow grave and it suggests that after the soldier was shot, the body was thrown in the shallow grave and subsequently burnt.”
Nikodemus also indicated that the pieces of cloth found in the grave resemble the uniforms worn by PLAN combatants during the liberation struggle.
“I remember this cloth, it is what we used to wear during the armed struggle. This is a body of a fallen soldier.”
Nikodemus called on all stakeholders who can assist him and his family to reach out and help address the issue.
[email protected]
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