Police arrest fugitive in Shiweda murder case

Namibian Police have arrested another suspect in the murder of control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who was fatally injured after she was shot and doused with acid outside her home in Ondangwa late last year.

Oshana deputy commissioner and head of crime investigations John Matongwe confirmed the arrest of Matatias Ndengu, who had been on the run since the October 2025 attack.

Police allege Ndengu drove the Volkswagen Polo used as the getaway vehicle after Shiweda’s attack. She died in February this year after months of medical treatment.

Ndengu is further accused of transporting the firearm and acid used in the attack from Windhoek to northern Namibia and of being present at the scene.

He appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where he was denied bail. He is due to be transferred to the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court later this month to join his co-accused.

The arrest comes as police continue to widen their investigation into the murder, with Namibian Sun understanding that further arrests, including reportedly of police officers, are expected.

Sanlam fraud

The murder of Shiweda has been linked to a multimillion-dollar Sanlam Namibia insurance fraud scheme. Investigators allege proceeds from the fraud were used to fund and organise the attack on her.

Police said another suspect, Abner Kotokeni Samuel, has also been arrested in connection with the Sanlam fraud investigation.

Samuel appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on Thursday and was also denied bail. He is due to be transferred to the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court to face charges linked to the alleged fraud syndicate.

The Sanlam investigation centres on allegations that a criminal syndicate fraudulently claimed millions of Namibia dollars from insurance policies using forged documents, fictitious claims and the alleged involvement of insiders and other accomplices.

The case has resulted in numerous arrests over several months as investigators continue to trace the alleged network.