Rundu community wants woman who burned lover's shack to leave
A woman accused of torching her boyfriend’s zinc house in the Tumweneni informal settlement in Rundu is at the centre of a storm, with community leaders and residents calling for her removal from the area.
The community has accused her of repeated violent behaviour and run-ins with the law, saying this has made life unbearable and unsafe for residents.
Chairperson of the Tumweneni Community Development Committee, Marcella Ndara, told Namibian Sun that the woman “has gone too far” and that residents live in fear.
“This woman is unpredictable. We’ve had enough. It’s not the first time she has caused trouble. She burned the house, stabbed herself in the chest, hit her daughter with a mop handle and even threatened to poison the water containers people leave unattended,” Ndara claimed.
“She’s not just a danger to the man she claims to love – she’s a danger to everyone.”
House of horrors
The shack, which burned to the ground on Sunday, reportedly belonged to the woman’s boyfriend, a 47-year-old man who was at work at the time.
His daughter, who had previously been evicted from the home at the alleged request of the girlfriend, was also not at home during the incident.
The blaze destroyed all belongings inside the home, including a water tank.
According to Ndara, the woman reportedly admitted to police that she set the shack on fire after failing to find the man.
“She told them she lit the match, the flame caught quickly, and then she just locked the house again and walked away,” Ndara claimed.
She was reportedly taken in for questioning but later released – a move that has angered residents, who say they no longer feel safe with her in the community.
History of violence
Ndara alleged that the woman has a long track record of violent outbursts.
“She once stabbed herself, thinking the man was home. Another time, she beat her daughter so badly that she was arrested – that case is still in court. She’s also told social workers she wanted to kill the child because the father doesn’t support her.”
Ndara believes the woman’s presence in Tumweneni sets a dangerous precedent.
“What message are we sending? That if you’re angry with your partner, just burn their house and walk free?”
Failed by the system?
Community members say they are disappointed in the police for releasing the woman, especially after she allegedly threatened the boyfriend’s daughter again on Monday – reportedly shortly after being released from custody.
“The child’s life is now in danger,” Ndara said. “This is no longer a relationship issue. It’s about public safety.”
Residents are now calling for a community meeting to demand that the woman and her boyfriend leave the settlement.
“We don’t care if they continue their relationship elsewhere,” Ndara said. “But not here. We’re tired. We’re scared. And we’ve lost all faith in the police.”
The community has accused her of repeated violent behaviour and run-ins with the law, saying this has made life unbearable and unsafe for residents.
Chairperson of the Tumweneni Community Development Committee, Marcella Ndara, told Namibian Sun that the woman “has gone too far” and that residents live in fear.
“This woman is unpredictable. We’ve had enough. It’s not the first time she has caused trouble. She burned the house, stabbed herself in the chest, hit her daughter with a mop handle and even threatened to poison the water containers people leave unattended,” Ndara claimed.
“She’s not just a danger to the man she claims to love – she’s a danger to everyone.”
House of horrors
The shack, which burned to the ground on Sunday, reportedly belonged to the woman’s boyfriend, a 47-year-old man who was at work at the time.
His daughter, who had previously been evicted from the home at the alleged request of the girlfriend, was also not at home during the incident.
The blaze destroyed all belongings inside the home, including a water tank.
According to Ndara, the woman reportedly admitted to police that she set the shack on fire after failing to find the man.
“She told them she lit the match, the flame caught quickly, and then she just locked the house again and walked away,” Ndara claimed.
She was reportedly taken in for questioning but later released – a move that has angered residents, who say they no longer feel safe with her in the community.
History of violence
Ndara alleged that the woman has a long track record of violent outbursts.
“She once stabbed herself, thinking the man was home. Another time, she beat her daughter so badly that she was arrested – that case is still in court. She’s also told social workers she wanted to kill the child because the father doesn’t support her.”
Ndara believes the woman’s presence in Tumweneni sets a dangerous precedent.
“What message are we sending? That if you’re angry with your partner, just burn their house and walk free?”
Failed by the system?
Community members say they are disappointed in the police for releasing the woman, especially after she allegedly threatened the boyfriend’s daughter again on Monday – reportedly shortly after being released from custody.
“The child’s life is now in danger,” Ndara said. “This is no longer a relationship issue. It’s about public safety.”
Residents are now calling for a community meeting to demand that the woman and her boyfriend leave the settlement.
“We don’t care if they continue their relationship elsewhere,” Ndara said. “But not here. We’re tired. We’re scared. And we’ve lost all faith in the police.”
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