Homestead torched over N$400

Five children were left homeless on Tuesday when their 24-year-old uncle allegedly torched all the huts in their homestead, destroying food and other belongings, because he was owed N$400 by his brother.The incident took place at Engela in the Ohangwena Region at around 15:00 when the suspect allegedly set alight five huts that burnt to the ground.He also broke into his brother's one-bedroom main house and set the assets in it alight.The suspect, Naftal Kapolo was arrested later and appeared on Friday in the Ohangwena Magistrate's Court on arson charges.Bail was denied and his matter postponed to 8 May.The homestead belongs to Kelvin Kapolo, who works for a mine in Swakopmund.According to Ohangwena police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Abner Itumba, Naftal said he carried out his dastardly act because his brother had not paid him for brick-making job he had completed.Attempts to get comment from Kelvin proved futile as his cellphone remain unanswered at the going to print.His sister, Lina, opened a criminal case on his behalf.According to a number of sources who spoke to Namibian Sun, Kelvin had instructed Lina to ask a boy in the neighbourhood to make bricks for him from ten bags of cement that were stored in his house.Lina instead asked Naftal, who made about 370 bricks with the assistance of a boy from the village.Kelvin was then informed by his sister that his brother was demanding his money.After Naftal was informed that Kelvin would only be paying him at the end of the month, he allegedly became frustrated and decided to burn down the huts and break into the main house and set alight its contents.When the community responded to the fire, there was nothing they could do apart from removing certain items from the house, which had not caught fire.“At least he could have taken things and sold them to get his money; he was not supposed to set the homestead alight. “We are not talking about village neighbours or strangers, but about people who share the same mother and father. No amount of anger should lead you to such acts,” an elderly villager said.Engela headman, Djemo Popyeinawa, said he is disappointed as things of this nature were putting his village in a bad light.Popyeinawa called for unity among his people and said there is no place for evil deeds in the country.He said that no Namibian should live in fear of his life or his assets being destroyed by a fellow citizen.“Blood was spilled for this country to be free and with freedom comes development. We need to invest our energy in things that are developing our country and not destroying it,” Popyeinawa said.He added that the village council will intervene in the matter to restore peace in the community and to ensure that everyone lives in harmony.He called on Namibians to assist the affected family.“The kids were left with nothing; their beds were destroyed as well as their clothes. KENYA KAMBOWE

Homestead torched over N$400

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-23

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Homestead torched over N$400

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-23

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