Rogue ex-cop among suspects in Ondangwa prosecutor attack
One of the two suspects arrested in connection with the shooting of the Ondangwa-based control prosecutor last month is a former police officer who has a long history of alleged involvement in a string of robberies dating back to 2013.
Former police sergeant Abner Mateus is the latest suspect to be arrested in connection with the shooting and acid attack on Ondangwa district control and regional court prosecutor, Justine Shiweda, who was seriously injured after she was shot in the legs and doused with an acidic substance at her home about three weeks ago.
Mateus appeared before Magistrate Nelao Ya France on Monday in connection with the attack on Shiweda.
Shiweda survived the assault and remains in the intensive care unit, where she is undergoing multiple surgeries, according to medical staff at the hospital where she is being treated.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this stage.
The incident has heightened concerns among court officials, who have raised alarm over their safety both at work and at home.
Another suspect, Lukas Nekwiyu (38) – who also has a lengthy criminal record – was arrested first in connection with the same incident. Namibian Sun understands that police are still pursuing another suspect who allegedly fled to South Africa.
In 2015, Nekwiyu and his accomplices allegedly posed as police officers to rob a Chinese business owner in Oshikango.
In 2007, when he was 21 years old, Nekwiyu was among seven suspects arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a game lodge near Windhoek. The group allegedly demanded the keys to a safe from lodge owner Heinz Dresselhaus and fled the scene in his Toyota Land Cruiser, stealing cash and other items valued at about N$1.4 million. They were granted bail of N$1 000 each a month later.
In July 2013, police in Oshana arrested Mateus – then a constable – for an armed robbery at Ongwediva. He was arrested while out on N$5 000 bail following a previous arrest in January of the year for alleged involvement in a string of robberies, housebreakings, and kidnappings in the northern regions.
A police officer who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity described the pair as “seasoned criminals”.
“Those two are very dangerous when it comes to robberies. One can regard them as seasoned criminals who rob members of society,” the source said.
Oshana police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, declined to comment on the matter, saying doing so could jeopardise ongoing investigations. However, he confirmed that a team is on the ground and that more arrests are expected.
Magistrate Ya France remanded both suspects in custody until 16 March 2026 for further police investigations.
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Former police sergeant Abner Mateus is the latest suspect to be arrested in connection with the shooting and acid attack on Ondangwa district control and regional court prosecutor, Justine Shiweda, who was seriously injured after she was shot in the legs and doused with an acidic substance at her home about three weeks ago.
Mateus appeared before Magistrate Nelao Ya France on Monday in connection with the attack on Shiweda.
Shiweda survived the assault and remains in the intensive care unit, where she is undergoing multiple surgeries, according to medical staff at the hospital where she is being treated.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this stage.
The incident has heightened concerns among court officials, who have raised alarm over their safety both at work and at home.
Another suspect, Lukas Nekwiyu (38) – who also has a lengthy criminal record – was arrested first in connection with the same incident. Namibian Sun understands that police are still pursuing another suspect who allegedly fled to South Africa.
In 2015, Nekwiyu and his accomplices allegedly posed as police officers to rob a Chinese business owner in Oshikango.
In 2007, when he was 21 years old, Nekwiyu was among seven suspects arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a game lodge near Windhoek. The group allegedly demanded the keys to a safe from lodge owner Heinz Dresselhaus and fled the scene in his Toyota Land Cruiser, stealing cash and other items valued at about N$1.4 million. They were granted bail of N$1 000 each a month later.
In July 2013, police in Oshana arrested Mateus – then a constable – for an armed robbery at Ongwediva. He was arrested while out on N$5 000 bail following a previous arrest in January of the year for alleged involvement in a string of robberies, housebreakings, and kidnappings in the northern regions.
A police officer who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity described the pair as “seasoned criminals”.
“Those two are very dangerous when it comes to robberies. One can regard them as seasoned criminals who rob members of society,” the source said.
Oshana police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, declined to comment on the matter, saying doing so could jeopardise ongoing investigations. However, he confirmed that a team is on the ground and that more arrests are expected.
Magistrate Ya France remanded both suspects in custody until 16 March 2026 for further police investigations.
[email protected]
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