Family opposes bail for slain officer’s wife

The family of murdered police officer Sergeant Thomas Shigwedha (49) has petitioned the Grootfontein Magistrate’s Court to deny bail to his wife, Anelda Shigwedha (34), while alleging that conflicting accounts given to investigators delayed progress in the case.

The family staged a peaceful demonstration at the court on Friday, where the accused’s bail application was postponed for the second time.

The application is now scheduled to be heard on 19 October.

Family spokesperson Dominga Tjimuku said relatives oppose bail because they fear that Anelda could abscond, interfere with witnesses or place their safety at risk. They also cited the trauma caused by Shigwedha’s death and the length of time it took before an arrest was made.

Shigwedha, who was stationed at Okakarara Police Station, was found dead in bushes near Dr Nicky Iyambo Street in Grootfontein in June 2025. Police reported that he had suffered two stab wounds to the back of his head and a severe head injury.

Anelda was arrested on 9 April, more than 10 months after her husband’s death.

Stalled probe

Tjimuku alleged that people who were living at the same house as the couple initially gave police an account that did not correspond with information investigators later obtained from CCTV footage.

According to Tjimuku, police were initially told that Shigwedha had gone to a party at his sister’s house. She claimed, however, that footage subsequently obtained by investigators showed Shigwedha and his wife together in Grootfontein on the night of 2 June 2025.

Tjimuku further alleged that some of those questioned by police later changed their statements after being confronted with the footage.

The family’s allegations could not be independently verified.

The people accused by the family of giving conflicting accounts have also not been identified or charged according to available information.

Anelda faces a charge of murder read with the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances, acquiring proceeds of unlawful activities under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

The precise conduct underlying the obstruction charge has not been disclosed.

Anelda has not pleaded to the charges.

Her bail application was postponed after her lawyer failed to appear for the second scheduled hearing.

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