Police sergeant killed in Walvis Bay shootout
A Namibian police sergeant lost his life in Walvis Bay on Wednesday night while trying to prevent a suspect from taking his own life. Instead, Sergeant Eustance Simasiku Matongo (34), attached to the police investigation unit, was shot dead in cold blood.
According to Senior Inspector Hilma Shomongula of the Erongo police, the suspect — identified as Jacques Pienaar, allegedly an artist from the Usakos area — had earlier robbed a victim at a gambling outlet in Walvis Bay at about 21:40.
Police responded swiftly and found Pienaar holding a firearm to his own head. Matongo attempted to talk him out of pulling the trigger, but the suspect turned the weapon on the officer and fatally shot him. Matongo died on the scene.
Pienaar fled, hijacked a taxi driver in Narraville, and sped towards Swakopmund. Police pursued him, later finding the abandoned taxi in Mondesa around 01:00 on Thursday. At approximately 02:40, officers intercepted him at the Truck Port in Swakopmund while he was attempting to board public transport.
“Before officers could arrest him, he drew his weapon and several shots were fired during a struggle,” Shomongula said. Pienaar was critically wounded and transported to the Swakopmund state hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
Police confiscated the firearm, and investigations are ongoing.
According to Senior Inspector Hilma Shomongula of the Erongo police, the suspect — identified as Jacques Pienaar, allegedly an artist from the Usakos area — had earlier robbed a victim at a gambling outlet in Walvis Bay at about 21:40.
Police responded swiftly and found Pienaar holding a firearm to his own head. Matongo attempted to talk him out of pulling the trigger, but the suspect turned the weapon on the officer and fatally shot him. Matongo died on the scene.
Pienaar fled, hijacked a taxi driver in Narraville, and sped towards Swakopmund. Police pursued him, later finding the abandoned taxi in Mondesa around 01:00 on Thursday. At approximately 02:40, officers intercepted him at the Truck Port in Swakopmund while he was attempting to board public transport.
“Before officers could arrest him, he drew his weapon and several shots were fired during a struggle,” Shomongula said. Pienaar was critically wounded and transported to the Swakopmund state hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
Police confiscated the firearm, and investigations are ongoing.
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