State finally throws book at Valombola

The state is fighting tooth and nail to keep commissioner for refugees Likius Valombola off the streets, as it throws the book at him in his bail application following a road rage incident in which he allegedly shot and killed a student leader.Valombola, the state is arguing in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court, is a flight risk and may abscond if granted bail.It was also argued the seriousness of the crime is a factor the court should seriously take into account.Investigating officer Sergeant Moses Shivolo testified during cross-examination by defence attorney Sisa Namandje that he is objecting to bail on the grounds that Valombola is a flight risk.“As the Namibia's commissioner of refugees he has contacts with refugees and he might abscond,” Shivolo said.Shivolo had no answer when Namandje put to him that Valombola was in travelling in the Kunene and Omusati regions when the police called him to come back to Windhoek and he had done so, which was not the actions of someone who wants to run away.Shivolo also conceded he had initially testified he was objecting to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence.Valombola is alleged to have killed 27-year-old Helao Ndjamba - a former Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) national executive committee member - on May 19 in Katutura.The 53-year-old home affairs official was re-arrested in Opuwo on 23 May after he was suspiciously released on a warning a few hours after his initial arrest, allegedly without appearing before a magistrate.Ndjamba was shot twice in the forehead.He died on Monday after spending days on life support at the Katutura hospital intensive care unit (ICU).There has been a massive public outcry in the aftermath of the incident, with members of the public accusing the police of favouritism towards Valombola.He was then re-arrested and is appearing before a packed courtroom.The state alleges that Valombola had been aggressive prior to the shooting and had exited his car to confront Ndjamba with a gun in his hand. It is further alleged that Valombola would not have been arrested if a picture of his car had not been taken at the scene, as he had sped away to avoid capture.Valombola claims that at the time of the incident, a sedan had blocked his family's path as they drove in Ombili. His son was driving.An altercation ensued and he claims to have fired warning shots because he feared for his life, but cannot recall whether the three men he fired on were armed.He claims further he had no idea he shot someone. Magistrate Antonious Shapumba will rule on the bail application tomorrow. Arrie Husselman is the prosecutor, while Ruth Herunga is representing Ndjamba's family.FRED GOEIEMAN

State finally throws book at Valombola

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-02

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State finally throws book at Valombola

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-02

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