Family, community rally against Fiina Nghifikwa's murder accused
The family of the late Fiina Natangwe Florence Nghifikwa (39), who was gunned down during an armed robbery in Windhoek’s Wanaheda area three months ago, gathered outside the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday, calling for justice and opposing bail for the man accused of her murder.
In a heartfelt statement, the family described Nghifikwa as “more than a name on a case file. She was a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and aunt — a beautiful soul with dreams, laughter, and a heart full of kindness.”
Led by her cousin, Isabel Ndimbarukua, the family, together with members of the community, held a peaceful demonstration and handed over a petition to the court.
Reading on behalf of the family, Ndimbarukua said their intention was not to cause chaos but to demand justice for a woman whose life was “taken in front of her five-year-old child.”
The petition urged the court not to release Haifete Elias Shityeni, who is accused of Nghifikwa’s murder, arguing that granting bail would undermine the seriousness of the crime and pose a threat to public safety and the victim’s relatives.
“Granting bail in such a case would send a dangerous message that those accused of murder can freely walk among the very people who mourn their victims,” the statement read.
“We are here because Natangwe’s life mattered — and we refuse to let her story fade into statistics or forgotten headlines,” Ndimbarukua said.
Murdered in Cold Blood
Nghifikwa, the owner of the fashion business September Creations, was killed around 19:00 on Kigali Street in July. She and a friend had allegedly been lured to the location under the pretext of viewing a room for rent.
The two women were picked up by a man who had promised to drive them to the property. Once inside the vehicle, the suspects reportedly held them at gunpoint and robbed them of their mobile phones. During the ordeal, Nghifikwa was shot.
She was rushed to the Katutura Health Centre – formerly known as the Black Chain Clinic – but was declared dead upon arrival.
It is alleged that the shooting occurred in the presence of Nghifikwa’s five-year-old child.
Shityeni, along with four other reportedly habitual offenders, was arrested nearly a week after Nghifikwa’s murder in connection with the crime. The case continues.
In a heartfelt statement, the family described Nghifikwa as “more than a name on a case file. She was a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and aunt — a beautiful soul with dreams, laughter, and a heart full of kindness.”
Led by her cousin, Isabel Ndimbarukua, the family, together with members of the community, held a peaceful demonstration and handed over a petition to the court.
Reading on behalf of the family, Ndimbarukua said their intention was not to cause chaos but to demand justice for a woman whose life was “taken in front of her five-year-old child.”
The petition urged the court not to release Haifete Elias Shityeni, who is accused of Nghifikwa’s murder, arguing that granting bail would undermine the seriousness of the crime and pose a threat to public safety and the victim’s relatives.
“Granting bail in such a case would send a dangerous message that those accused of murder can freely walk among the very people who mourn their victims,” the statement read.
“We are here because Natangwe’s life mattered — and we refuse to let her story fade into statistics or forgotten headlines,” Ndimbarukua said.
Murdered in Cold Blood
Nghifikwa, the owner of the fashion business September Creations, was killed around 19:00 on Kigali Street in July. She and a friend had allegedly been lured to the location under the pretext of viewing a room for rent.
The two women were picked up by a man who had promised to drive them to the property. Once inside the vehicle, the suspects reportedly held them at gunpoint and robbed them of their mobile phones. During the ordeal, Nghifikwa was shot.
She was rushed to the Katutura Health Centre – formerly known as the Black Chain Clinic – but was declared dead upon arrival.
It is alleged that the shooting occurred in the presence of Nghifikwa’s five-year-old child.
Shityeni, along with four other reportedly habitual offenders, was arrested nearly a week after Nghifikwa’s murder in connection with the crime. The case continues.
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