One year later: Shiweda’s children still await promised support

A year after control prosecutor Justine Shiweda was shot and doused with acid outside her home in Ondangwa, her family says they are still waiting for government to honour commitments made to support the two young children she left behind, while judicial officers and prosecutors say security commitments made following the attack remain unfulfilled.

Eight people have so far been arrested in connection with Shiweda's murder as investigations continue.

Shiweda, affectionately known to her family as 'Kapandu', was attacked on 17 October 2025 in what the State alleges was a murder plot linked to her work as a prosecutor.

She died on 7 February after spending nearly four months in hospital.

Speaking to Namibian Sun ahead of the first anniversary of the attack on Saturday, Shiweda’s sister Maria Indileni said the family had yet to receive an update on the commitments made concerning the children's welfare.

"We are still waiting to hear from them. We would appreciate the commitments made concerning Kapandu's children to be honoured in a meaningful way," she said.

During Shiweda's funeral in February, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced that the Oshana governor's office would facilitate the establishment of a trust fund to provide for the children's education through university and their general well-being until adulthood.

Maria said the responsibility of raising the children has placed additional pressure on a family still struggling to come to terms with Shiweda's violent death.

"We worry about their emotional well-being, education and general needs, especially because there is no guarantee that we will always have sufficient financial resources to provide everything they need," she said.

"It has been an emotionally and financially challenging journey. We are still grieving and trying to ensure that Justine's death does not rob them of the future she would have wanted for them."

Unfulfilled promises

Maria said the justice ministry arranged a counselling session involving a psychologist, social worker and pastor to assist the family.

"We appreciate that gesture, particularly because the circumstances surrounding Justine's attack and death have been deeply traumatic for the family," she said.

However, she stressed that the consequences of the tragedy extend beyond the immediate aftermath.

"The emotional and financial consequences of this tragedy have not ended. The family continues to carry the burden of grief while also trying to provide for the children she left behind."

Maria said the family remains hopeful that the legal process will establish accountability, although no court outcome can undo their loss.

"As a family, we hope that justice will ultimately be served. However, no amount of justice or prison sentence can bring Kapandu back or take away the pain and hurt in our hearts," she said.

"Even if those accused are convicted and sentenced, the emotional wounds will remain, because we have to live with her absence every day."

Her sister described her as a dedicated prosecutor, loving mother and family member whose life had meaning beyond the tragedy.

"One year later, our family is still grieving, still trying to rebuild our lives and still hoping for justice. Kapandu cannot be replaced," her sister said.

"For some, it might just be a sad headline in the newspaper about the prosecutor who was poured with acid, but for us, this is the reality we have to face for the rest of our lives."

Security still lacking

Meanwhile, questions remain over the implementation of security measures promised to protect prosecutors following the attack.

Following Shiweda’s death, prosecutor general Martha Imalwa said additional security measures had been introduced in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, although details were withheld for security reasons.

“The security the ministry of justice promised us about having security guards at our houses still has not materialised. It is very disappointing that our safety concerns remain unaddressed," a magistrate told Namibian Sun, requesting not to be named.

Imalwa did not respond to questions sent to her at the time of going to print.

‘Diligent’ police

Among the accused in Shiweda’s murder are former police officer Abner Mateus and medical doctor Fillemon 'Fly' Nakanduungile. The State alleges that Shiweda was targeted because of her work as a prosecutor, particularly her opposition to bail in a criminal matter involving Mateus. The accused are expected to appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court again on 22 October.

Detective chief inspector Antonius Gabriel told Namibian Sun on Thursday that no more arrests are expected in the Shiweda case, as all outstanding suspects have been apprehended.

Gabriel lauded the team for their hard work and what he termed “diligence”.