Family of deacon accused of killing his son: 'We fear for our lives'

The family of slain Kavango West resident Felix Musongo (31) say they are living in fear of the man accused of killing him – their own father, husband and a Catholic deacon, who was released on bail last month.

“We fear for our lives because when he killed our brother, he threatened that he would come back and kill all of us, including our mother,” Felix’s older brother, Kambinda Musongo, alleged.

He told Namibian Sun yesterday the family feels abandoned by a justice system they believe failed to consider their fears and lived experiences.

Felix was shot and killed at Siudiva village in 2024.

His father, Markus Musongo (69), a Catholic deacon who faces multiple charges, including murder, was granted bail in May.

Kambinda alleged that his brother was killed while trying to protect their mother during a domestic dispute.

“He was a peacekeeper. He was trying to stop a fight. That’s where his life ended,” Kambinda said.

Family members staged a demonstration in Rundu yesterday to protest the decision to release their father on bail ahead of the matter's return to court on Wednesday.

Old and new wounds

For Felix's family, the court's decision to grant bail has reopened wounds that had barely begun to heal.

Kambinda said the family's greatest concern is their mother, who has suffered two strokes and now lives with the emotional burden of losing her son while fearing the return of the man accused of killing him.

“Seeing him out on bail brings back the pain of what happened. We do not feel safe, and we do not know what could happen next,” he said.

Kambinda claimed the family had expected to be informed about the bail process and the conditions attached to the accused’s release but instead felt excluded from decisions they believe could compromise their safety.

Family glue

Felix was described as a quiet, humble and business-minded man, a certified mechanical fitter and turner who supported both parents and played a central role in the family’s business ventures.

“He would have been able to take care of both parents, including the man accused of taking his life, because he was responsible for keeping the household together and providing for groceries,” Kambinda said.

The family believes the circumstances surrounding Felix's death, including his alleged attempt to defend their mother and the accused's alleged history of violent behaviour, were not sufficiently considered during the bail proceedings.

“For all my life, I have seen this man do these things. How could the courts know him better than us, his immediate family, do?” he said.

He added that the family’s fear extends beyond the accused himself, claiming that other family members have made threats and attempted to vandalise property.

“We are not free to move because we do not know what he is plotting or what others may be plotting on his behalf,” Kambinda alleged.

No voice

He explained that after his father’s arrest, he assumed responsibility for managing the family farm and livestock. Following the accused’s release, he allegedly received a letter from a legal representative demanding that he hand over the keys to the farm and vehicle.

Kambinda said the letter deepened the family’s sense of isolation.

“We feel nobody is there to stand for us. We have no voice in this matter,” he said.

During Markus Musongo's bail hearing in May, magistrate Selma Shiiga imposed stringent conditions, including prohibiting Musongo from returning to Siudiva village, where the incident allegedly took place, and from interfering with witnesses.