N$15 000 for man shot at dumpsite while scavenging for food
Alleged police shooting ends in settlement
Government has agreed to settle after a Walvis Bay man sued the state for N$800 000, claiming he was allegedly shot by police while searching for food.
An unemployed Walvis Bay man who was shot four times in the leg – allegedly by police – while collecting old chicken scraps at the town’s dumpsite in November 2021 is set to receive N$15 000 in compensation.
The settlement follows a N$800 000 lawsuit filed by Vilho Shatika, in which he claimed damages for physical injuries, emotional trauma, pain and suffering.
Shatika and several others allegedly found themselves dodging bullets instead of trying to ease their hunger nearly four years ago, when members of the Namibian police allegedly opened fire to stop them from accessing the dumpsite.
The defendants, including Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and the safety and security ministry, initially vehemently denied the allegations brought against them by Shatika.
However, during mediation last week, they agreed to a N$15 000 settlement to be paid within 60 days to Shatika’s legal representatives, Brockerhoff & Associates.
The terms of the agreement specify that the payment is made in full and final settlement of all claims, and neither party may pursue further legal action regarding the matter.
Shot indiscriminately
In his particulars of claim, Shatika alleged that police officers fired indiscriminately at him and others, forcing him and four others to hide in nearby reeds.
He claimed that one officer located him and opened fire, striking him four times in the lower left leg. He was later rescued by municipal workers and taken to Walvis Bay State Hospital, where medical staff confirmed multiple wounds and lodged bullets in his leg.
However, in their legal response, the police said it had no knowledge of the alleged events and demanded that Shatika prove his claims in court.
They denied that police members were involved in any shooting or blocking of access to the dumpsite.
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The settlement follows a N$800 000 lawsuit filed by Vilho Shatika, in which he claimed damages for physical injuries, emotional trauma, pain and suffering.
Shatika and several others allegedly found themselves dodging bullets instead of trying to ease their hunger nearly four years ago, when members of the Namibian police allegedly opened fire to stop them from accessing the dumpsite.
The defendants, including Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and the safety and security ministry, initially vehemently denied the allegations brought against them by Shatika.
However, during mediation last week, they agreed to a N$15 000 settlement to be paid within 60 days to Shatika’s legal representatives, Brockerhoff & Associates.
The terms of the agreement specify that the payment is made in full and final settlement of all claims, and neither party may pursue further legal action regarding the matter.
Shot indiscriminately
In his particulars of claim, Shatika alleged that police officers fired indiscriminately at him and others, forcing him and four others to hide in nearby reeds.
He claimed that one officer located him and opened fire, striking him four times in the lower left leg. He was later rescued by municipal workers and taken to Walvis Bay State Hospital, where medical staff confirmed multiple wounds and lodged bullets in his leg.
However, in their legal response, the police said it had no knowledge of the alleged events and demanded that Shatika prove his claims in court.
They denied that police members were involved in any shooting or blocking of access to the dumpsite.
[email protected]
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