Kapana seller claims police brutality
The police say the 50-year-old vendor was resisting arrest, but his family claim he was treated brutally.
MICHELLINE NAWATISES
WINDHOEK
David Shambo (50), who sells kapana from his home in Windhoek's Havana informal settlement, claims he was the victim of police brutality this week.
According to his son, Paulus Shambo (24), a police van pulled up at their home on Monday morning and the officers asked who was selling the meat.
He said the officers ordered his father to get into the police van and when Shambo asked them why, they handcuffed him and dragged him away.
“My dad was dragged in front of us until his pants fell off,” Paulus Shambo said yesterday.
Shambo's wife Elizabeth (43) claims that her husband's leg is broken and he needs assistance to stand up.
Four against one
According to a witness, Festus Hashavi, four officers were involved. He said one officer held Shambo's nose, the other's elbow was on his neck and the other two were holding his legs. One of the officers stepped on Shambo's head as they dragged him from his house, Hashavi claimed.
According to a relative of Shambo's, Monica Nambelela, a police spokesperson told them that Shambo was resisting arrest and sustained injuries because it was a rocky area.
“His house is not rocky. The police officers must be suspended and investigated and I am disappointed that that public relations officer is defending police brutality at a time where the world is in solidarity against police brutality,” Nambelela said.
The police version
According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, who is the head of the police public relations division, food vending is not allowed in the area and Shambo refused to comply with police orders.
“This led to a confrontation followed by wrestling which resulted in an injury to his knee,” Shikwambi said.
She said the police officers have laid charges of assault by threat and obstructing the police against Shambo. Shikwambi urged the public to abide by the Covid-19 regulations.
“We are fighting the pandemic and not each other, therefore we urge cooperation from the public as we do not want to be undermined while executing our duties,” she said.
WINDHOEK
David Shambo (50), who sells kapana from his home in Windhoek's Havana informal settlement, claims he was the victim of police brutality this week.
According to his son, Paulus Shambo (24), a police van pulled up at their home on Monday morning and the officers asked who was selling the meat.
He said the officers ordered his father to get into the police van and when Shambo asked them why, they handcuffed him and dragged him away.
“My dad was dragged in front of us until his pants fell off,” Paulus Shambo said yesterday.
Shambo's wife Elizabeth (43) claims that her husband's leg is broken and he needs assistance to stand up.
Four against one
According to a witness, Festus Hashavi, four officers were involved. He said one officer held Shambo's nose, the other's elbow was on his neck and the other two were holding his legs. One of the officers stepped on Shambo's head as they dragged him from his house, Hashavi claimed.
According to a relative of Shambo's, Monica Nambelela, a police spokesperson told them that Shambo was resisting arrest and sustained injuries because it was a rocky area.
“His house is not rocky. The police officers must be suspended and investigated and I am disappointed that that public relations officer is defending police brutality at a time where the world is in solidarity against police brutality,” Nambelela said.
The police version
According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, who is the head of the police public relations division, food vending is not allowed in the area and Shambo refused to comply with police orders.
“This led to a confrontation followed by wrestling which resulted in an injury to his knee,” Shikwambi said.
She said the police officers have laid charges of assault by threat and obstructing the police against Shambo. Shikwambi urged the public to abide by the Covid-19 regulations.
“We are fighting the pandemic and not each other, therefore we urge cooperation from the public as we do not want to be undermined while executing our duties,” she said.
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