Teacher back at work after arrest over alleged death threat to colleague
A teacher in the Zambezi region was arrested in December after he allegedly threatened to kill his head of department or to hire a hitman to do so for N$50 000.
The threat is said to have followed a long-running dispute over his repeated absenteeism.
The incident is alleged to have taken place at Kayuuo Primary School in the Sibbinda Circuit and was formally reported on 21 November 2025.
It has forced the head of department, Precious Sinjabata, to stay at home amid fears for her safety and has raised concerns about staff security and how threats against educators are handled at the school.
According to a report compiled by concerned teachers and seen by Namibian Sun, the alleged threat followed disagreements over teacher Justin Chilinda’s frequent absences.
The report states that Chilinda confronted Sinjabata in her office, accusing her of reporting his absences to school management and education authorities.
Speaking to Namibian Sun last week, Sinjabata recounted that the incident allegedly occurred while she was marking learners’ work.
She said Chilinda questioned her about her whereabouts on the previous day, to which she explained she had been attending university examinations.
She alleged that he then threatened to kill her himself or hire someone for N$50 000 to do it.
“At the time, I was not alone. Two other teachers were in my office and witnessed the confrontation,” Sinjabata claimed.
She said she immediately reported the matter to the school principal, Laureen Nakamwi, who contacted the circuit inspector and the police.
Allegations of inadequate response
Namibian Sun has not spoken directly to the police.
However, Zambezi region education deputy director Norah Munembo confirmed that Chilinda was arrested on 4 December 2025 and released on 2 January.
Chilinda has reportedly since resumed teaching duties at the school.
Sinjabata has not returned to work, citing concerns for her safety. She said her fear is compounded by what she sees as a lack of formal intervention or protection from school management and regional authorities.
She described receiving conflicting responses when following up on the case, with some officials saying they had received reports while others claimed they had not.
The teachers’ report and Sinjabata’s account highlight a broader concern about staff safety and accountability within Kayuuo Primary School.
Procedures in the spotlight
According to a report seen by this publication, efforts by the school board to escalate the matter were reportedly met with reluctance.
Munembo confirmed that the matter was formally reported to the school principal and police, that it involved a serious threat and that Chilinda had been in police custody.
She acknowledged that Sinjabata has stayed away from work and that the incident has raised serious questions among stakeholders about the procedures for protecting teachers and holding staff accountable.
Namibian Sun understands that the case continues to be followed internally, though a full resolution has not yet been reached.
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The threat is said to have followed a long-running dispute over his repeated absenteeism.
The incident is alleged to have taken place at Kayuuo Primary School in the Sibbinda Circuit and was formally reported on 21 November 2025.
It has forced the head of department, Precious Sinjabata, to stay at home amid fears for her safety and has raised concerns about staff security and how threats against educators are handled at the school.
According to a report compiled by concerned teachers and seen by Namibian Sun, the alleged threat followed disagreements over teacher Justin Chilinda’s frequent absences.
The report states that Chilinda confronted Sinjabata in her office, accusing her of reporting his absences to school management and education authorities.
Speaking to Namibian Sun last week, Sinjabata recounted that the incident allegedly occurred while she was marking learners’ work.
She said Chilinda questioned her about her whereabouts on the previous day, to which she explained she had been attending university examinations.
She alleged that he then threatened to kill her himself or hire someone for N$50 000 to do it.
“At the time, I was not alone. Two other teachers were in my office and witnessed the confrontation,” Sinjabata claimed.
She said she immediately reported the matter to the school principal, Laureen Nakamwi, who contacted the circuit inspector and the police.
Allegations of inadequate response
Namibian Sun has not spoken directly to the police.
However, Zambezi region education deputy director Norah Munembo confirmed that Chilinda was arrested on 4 December 2025 and released on 2 January.
Chilinda has reportedly since resumed teaching duties at the school.
Sinjabata has not returned to work, citing concerns for her safety. She said her fear is compounded by what she sees as a lack of formal intervention or protection from school management and regional authorities.
She described receiving conflicting responses when following up on the case, with some officials saying they had received reports while others claimed they had not.
The teachers’ report and Sinjabata’s account highlight a broader concern about staff safety and accountability within Kayuuo Primary School.
Procedures in the spotlight
According to a report seen by this publication, efforts by the school board to escalate the matter were reportedly met with reluctance.
Munembo confirmed that the matter was formally reported to the school principal and police, that it involved a serious threat and that Chilinda had been in police custody.
She acknowledged that Sinjabata has stayed away from work and that the incident has raised serious questions among stakeholders about the procedures for protecting teachers and holding staff accountable.
Namibian Sun understands that the case continues to be followed internally, though a full resolution has not yet been reached.
[email protected]
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