‘Like burned by fire’: Harrowing details of prosecutor acid attack
Tuyeimo HaidulaOndangwa
The horrific injuries suffered by Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda were starkly described in court yesterday when a senior police officer testified that acid is “fast eating her skin”, leaving her burned “like fire” and crying in pain as doctors uncovered her wounds.
Shiweda’s condition has deteriorated in recent days.
The court heard that Shiweda, who was shot on 17 October 2025, managed to call the police herself for medical assistance shortly after being shot between five and seven times by unknown attackers, the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court heard.
Testifying during the bail application of Dr Fillemon ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile, Chief Inspector Antonius Gabriel of the Oshana Police said Shiweda phoned the police to report that she was under attack, prompting a swift response.
When officers arrived at her home, they found her vehicle halfway out of the garage, the driver’s side window smashed and the front passenger door wide open.
One of Shiweda’s children was opening the house gate so she could take them to school, while Shiweda was already seated in the car, the court heard.
According to Gabriel, the alleged attackers were wearing hooded jerseys and masks covering their mouths and noses.
Despite her injuries, Shiweda tried to help herself by moving from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. She also threw her cellphone towards the attackers, believing it was a robbery.
She later managed to get out of the vehicle and scream for help, after which the attackers fled.
Yesterday the court was shown photographs depicting the extent of the acid attack and Shiweda’s current condition. The presiding magistrate, Lutaka Billy Mutwa, instructed this reporter to leave the courtroom and cautioned the media on how the matter should be reported.
Mutwa referred to Section 153 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, which allows proceedings to be held in camera under certain circumstances, and criticised the circulation of videos showing Shiweda’s mother fainting in court. He said the footage reportedly reached Shiweda in hospital, causing her further distress.
Explaining why the state is opposing bail, Gabriel told the court that Shiweda’s burn wounds are “an eyesore”.
“As a human you are unable to check her. When I went to the hospital to check on her, the doctors had to uncover her. The acid is fast eating her skin. Her complexion has changed. Like burned by fire. The skin contracted together. And as I was talking to her, she was in pain and crying,” he testified.
Five other people have been arrested in connection with the attack. Gabriel told the court that Abner Mewiliko Mateus (34), also known as Cota Smith, is the alleged mastermind. He said Shiweda was targeted after denying Mateus bail on two occasions in a fraud case opened with the Onayena police, at a time when Mateus was being held at Ondangwa.
Gabriel further alleged that Mateus had, since 2023, planned to have the docket in the Onayena case burned while in custody. When that failed, he allegedly began recruiting people to steal the docket from the Ondangwa court, offering amounts ranging from N$10 000 to N$70 000.
The court also heard allegations that Mateus paid N$50 000 into the bank account of Nakanduungile’s three-year-old daughter. Nakanduungile claimed the money was an advance payment for medical services, a claim challenged by the state as unethical and illegal. Under questioning, he conceded that receiving payment before services are rendered would be unlawful.
The bail hearing also heard allegations relating to Nakanduungile’s professional conduct, including forged medical results, improper patient practices and other misconduct, much of which he denied or partially admitted under cross-examination.
The state is represented by deputy prosecutor general Tangeni Iitula, assisted by control prosecutor Yeukai Kangira. Nakanduungile is represented by Petrus Smart Elago.
The horrific injuries suffered by Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda were starkly described in court yesterday when a senior police officer testified that acid is “fast eating her skin”, leaving her burned “like fire” and crying in pain as doctors uncovered her wounds.
Shiweda’s condition has deteriorated in recent days.
The court heard that Shiweda, who was shot on 17 October 2025, managed to call the police herself for medical assistance shortly after being shot between five and seven times by unknown attackers, the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court heard.
Testifying during the bail application of Dr Fillemon ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile, Chief Inspector Antonius Gabriel of the Oshana Police said Shiweda phoned the police to report that she was under attack, prompting a swift response.
When officers arrived at her home, they found her vehicle halfway out of the garage, the driver’s side window smashed and the front passenger door wide open.
One of Shiweda’s children was opening the house gate so she could take them to school, while Shiweda was already seated in the car, the court heard.
According to Gabriel, the alleged attackers were wearing hooded jerseys and masks covering their mouths and noses.
Despite her injuries, Shiweda tried to help herself by moving from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. She also threw her cellphone towards the attackers, believing it was a robbery.
She later managed to get out of the vehicle and scream for help, after which the attackers fled.
Yesterday the court was shown photographs depicting the extent of the acid attack and Shiweda’s current condition. The presiding magistrate, Lutaka Billy Mutwa, instructed this reporter to leave the courtroom and cautioned the media on how the matter should be reported.
Mutwa referred to Section 153 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, which allows proceedings to be held in camera under certain circumstances, and criticised the circulation of videos showing Shiweda’s mother fainting in court. He said the footage reportedly reached Shiweda in hospital, causing her further distress.
Explaining why the state is opposing bail, Gabriel told the court that Shiweda’s burn wounds are “an eyesore”.
“As a human you are unable to check her. When I went to the hospital to check on her, the doctors had to uncover her. The acid is fast eating her skin. Her complexion has changed. Like burned by fire. The skin contracted together. And as I was talking to her, she was in pain and crying,” he testified.
Five other people have been arrested in connection with the attack. Gabriel told the court that Abner Mewiliko Mateus (34), also known as Cota Smith, is the alleged mastermind. He said Shiweda was targeted after denying Mateus bail on two occasions in a fraud case opened with the Onayena police, at a time when Mateus was being held at Ondangwa.
Gabriel further alleged that Mateus had, since 2023, planned to have the docket in the Onayena case burned while in custody. When that failed, he allegedly began recruiting people to steal the docket from the Ondangwa court, offering amounts ranging from N$10 000 to N$70 000.
The court also heard allegations that Mateus paid N$50 000 into the bank account of Nakanduungile’s three-year-old daughter. Nakanduungile claimed the money was an advance payment for medical services, a claim challenged by the state as unethical and illegal. Under questioning, he conceded that receiving payment before services are rendered would be unlawful.
The bail hearing also heard allegations relating to Nakanduungile’s professional conduct, including forged medical results, improper patient practices and other misconduct, much of which he denied or partially admitted under cross-examination.
The state is represented by deputy prosecutor general Tangeni Iitula, assisted by control prosecutor Yeukai Kangira. Nakanduungile is represented by Petrus Smart Elago.
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