Police bribe plot sparks emergency transfer in prosecutor shooting case
Four men accused in the attempted murder of Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda – including local medical practitioner Fillemon ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile – were urgently transferred from Ondangwa police holding cells to Grootfontein after authorities received information suggesting police officers guarding them were being bribed to facilitate an escape.
The State’s successful application followed a tip-off alleging an attempted bribery of Ondangwa police officers, prompting prosecutors to file an urgent request on Friday to have the accused removed from the facility. The application was granted.
State prosecutor Yeukai Kangira told the court that the emergency transfer was necessary to safeguard witnesses, protect the accused persons themselves and preserve the integrity of the pending criminal proceedings.
She said sworn statements by Detective Chief Inspector Antonius Gabriel and Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) commissioner-general Raphael Hamunyela supported the application. According to Kangira, the information received pointed to a possible escape plan, necessitating the immediate relocation of the accused.
“The safety of both the witnesses and the accused persons themselves is at stake,” Kangira said, adding that the move would also prevent interference with witnesses.
Magistrate Nelao Ya France ruled that the determination of the place of detention of accused persons and trial-awaiting inmates falls within the prerogative of the State, provided such decisions are lawful and reasonable.
She said the court was satisfied that the State had placed sufficient grounds before it to justify the transfer, noting that the security concerns raised were serious and directly linked to the proper administration of justice.
“The objections raised by the accused persons do not outweigh these considerations,” Ya France said in granting the application.
The accused are Petrus Panduleni Uusiku, Johannes Nghilifavali, Petrus Shikwaya and Nakanduungile.
Uusiku, Johannes and Shikwaya opposed the application on the grounds that they have other criminal matters pending in Windhoek and preferred to be detained there. Uusiku and Shikwaya told the court they are due to appear in Windhoek, while Johannes said he is also scheduled to appear on 2 February 2026.
Nakanduungile requested an opportunity to consult his lawyer, Petrus Smart Elago.
Kangira countered that the existence of other cases did not undermine the State’s application, noting that police could facilitate court appearances from Grootfontein Correctional Facility. She further informed the court that Nakanduungile’s legal practitioner had already been notified of the urgent application.
“It is unfortunate that this had to be brought as an urgent application, but we are dealing with information pointing to a possible escape plan. We could not afford to wait any longer,” Kangira said, requesting that the accused be detained at Grootfontein.
Following the ruling, Uusiku, Johannes and Shikwaya were remanded in custody until 16 March 2026 for further investigations. Nakanduungile is expected to return to court on 29 January 2026 for the ruling on his bail application.
The 17 October shooting and acid attack on Shiweda is alleged to be linked to a failed attempt to bribe her with N$100 000 to refrain from opposing bail for jailed former police officer Abner ‘Kapilili’ Mateus, who is also an accused in the matter. Another accused, Lukas Nekwiyu, is also in custody. Both Mateus and Nekwiyu are currently detained in Windhoek.
The State’s successful application followed a tip-off alleging an attempted bribery of Ondangwa police officers, prompting prosecutors to file an urgent request on Friday to have the accused removed from the facility. The application was granted.
State prosecutor Yeukai Kangira told the court that the emergency transfer was necessary to safeguard witnesses, protect the accused persons themselves and preserve the integrity of the pending criminal proceedings.
She said sworn statements by Detective Chief Inspector Antonius Gabriel and Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) commissioner-general Raphael Hamunyela supported the application. According to Kangira, the information received pointed to a possible escape plan, necessitating the immediate relocation of the accused.
“The safety of both the witnesses and the accused persons themselves is at stake,” Kangira said, adding that the move would also prevent interference with witnesses.
Magistrate Nelao Ya France ruled that the determination of the place of detention of accused persons and trial-awaiting inmates falls within the prerogative of the State, provided such decisions are lawful and reasonable.
She said the court was satisfied that the State had placed sufficient grounds before it to justify the transfer, noting that the security concerns raised were serious and directly linked to the proper administration of justice.
“The objections raised by the accused persons do not outweigh these considerations,” Ya France said in granting the application.
The accused are Petrus Panduleni Uusiku, Johannes Nghilifavali, Petrus Shikwaya and Nakanduungile.
Uusiku, Johannes and Shikwaya opposed the application on the grounds that they have other criminal matters pending in Windhoek and preferred to be detained there. Uusiku and Shikwaya told the court they are due to appear in Windhoek, while Johannes said he is also scheduled to appear on 2 February 2026.
Nakanduungile requested an opportunity to consult his lawyer, Petrus Smart Elago.
Kangira countered that the existence of other cases did not undermine the State’s application, noting that police could facilitate court appearances from Grootfontein Correctional Facility. She further informed the court that Nakanduungile’s legal practitioner had already been notified of the urgent application.
“It is unfortunate that this had to be brought as an urgent application, but we are dealing with information pointing to a possible escape plan. We could not afford to wait any longer,” Kangira said, requesting that the accused be detained at Grootfontein.
Following the ruling, Uusiku, Johannes and Shikwaya were remanded in custody until 16 March 2026 for further investigations. Nakanduungile is expected to return to court on 29 January 2026 for the ruling on his bail application.
The 17 October shooting and acid attack on Shiweda is alleged to be linked to a failed attempt to bribe her with N$100 000 to refrain from opposing bail for jailed former police officer Abner ‘Kapilili’ Mateus, who is also an accused in the matter. Another accused, Lukas Nekwiyu, is also in custody. Both Mateus and Nekwiyu are currently detained in Windhoek.
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