Police probe possible fatal mob assault on man accused of attempted scam

A man reportedly accused of being a conman by community members collapsed and died at Ndama Police Station in Rundu last week following an alleged mob assault.The cause of death has not yet been confirmed, with a post-mortem still to be conducted.According to the police, the man, according to community reports, tried to swindle a woman out of more than N$700 by demanding payment for goods she said she had never ordered from Oshikango.Based on reports made to the police, the woman pretended to cooperate and arranged for him to collect the money in person. When he arrived, community members confronted and beat the man before escorting him to the police.Investigation underway On Thursday, Kavango East Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu said police had been informed by community members that nine individuals were involved in the assault, and that efforts were under way to identify them.He added that once the suspects are identified, arrests will be made.By yesterday, police could not be reached to provide an update on whether any arrests had taken place.“Definitely these people will at least be charged. There is a case open. They must be arrested. They are answerable,” Kanyetu said last week, warning that mob justice cannot be justified.“If he committed the offence, the victims had the right to open a case against him. But they don’t have the right to block someone and kill,” Kanyetu added.During their preliminary investigation, police said they discovered a text message on the deceased’s cellphone, suggesting a possible link to another scam in which a man was allegedly defrauded of N$300 earlier this month.Police added that the alleged scammer had reportedly agreed to refund the money.Delayed access to medical servicesShortly after arriving at the police station on Wednesday following the alleged assault, he reportedly began complaining of feeling unwell and asked for a glass of water.Police said he then vomited, collapsed, and lost consciousness.Officers called for an ambulance, but none was available due to poor road conditions leading to the station, they added.By the time a police vehicle arrived to transport him to hospital, the man had already died.His body was later certified dead by a medical officer at Rundu State Hospital and moved to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination.phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

Police probe possible fatal mob assault on man accused of attempted scam

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-25

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Police probe possible fatal mob assault on man accused of attempted scam

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-25

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