Arson charge against Lidker withdrawn

An arson case opened against dismissed Ondonga senior traditional leader Wilbard Lidker was withdrawn last week in the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court.Lidker's lawyer Maronel du Plessis told Namibian Sun the case was thrown out after the complainant said she was unwilling to continue with the matter.Lidker was facing charges of arson read together with the provision of the Domestic Violence Act, after he allegedly attempted to set his ex-girlfriend's bedroom on fire at Omutsegwonime village in the Oshikoto Region in 2016.“The complainant told the court she does not want to proceed with the case anymore and that she decided to withdraw it, saying she has forgiven Lidker,” Du Plessis said.Lidker was never arrested and during his court appearance last Wednesday, Magistrate Bernhard Tjatjara dismissed the case.On 16 January last year Ondonga king, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, dismissed Lidker as the senior traditional councillor for Uukwanambwa, alleging he had contravened the rules and regulations of the authority.He was replaced with Ester Gwashamba Nepando.Lidker told Namibian Sun he was never asked to appear before the king to explain himself. He said the reasons for his discharge remain unclear to him, while he remains a gazetted leader of the Ondonga authority.“Despite the fact that there is someone appointed in my place, I remain a gazetted traditional leader and I will continue with my role. I was just waiting for all my activities around the court case to be finalised. Now that is has been withdrawn, I am going back to the king to tell him that I have been cleared,” Lidker said.He said the complaint was not genuine and he suspects there were people behind her, who were pushing the case.“That is the reason why I was never arrested for such a case. If it was a clear complaint with witnesses and evidence, the police would have arrested me and I would have gone into custody, but it never happened,” he said.Lidker was the second senior councillor to be sacked by King Elifas following the dismissal of Oniimwandi district senior leader Boas Mweendeleli a few years ago.Lidker's dismissal divided the Ondonga authority, with some councillors in support, while others were against it. Those who were against his dismissal include the king's appointed successor and assistant Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, secretary Joseph Asino and the authority's chairperson Peter Kauluma.The king later dismissed Asino, Kauluma, John Walenga, former Oshikoto governor Vilho Kamanya, Kashona kaMalulu, Tonata Ngulu and Fillemon Nambili.The king also revoked the appointment of Nangolo as his assistant and successor.ILENI NANDJATO

Arson charge against Lidker withdrawn

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-15

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Arson charge against Lidker withdrawn

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-15

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