Marthina Mutanga
THE 28-year-old Daniel Uwu-khaeb was killed when he attacked an employee of TransNamib that attempted to stop him from stealing railway sleepers from the goods yard of the national transporter in Otjiwarongo.
The spokesperson for the Namibian Police in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha confirmed the incident and said it occurred at about 16:00 on Thursday afternoon.
According to Inspector Mbeha, a general worker of TransNamib saw that Uwu-khaeb and another man were busy loading steel railway sleepers on a white Mazda bakkie. The 46-year-old railway worker confronted the men and ordered him to desist from stealing the sleepers.
The railway worker informed the men that he was calling the Namibian Police.
“Uwu-khaeb and his friend attempted to flee from the scene and the worker fired two warning shots and another shot at one of the tires of the vehicle. With the vehicle unable to drive, Uwu-khaeb jumped out and started attacking the TransNamib worker with a knife,” she said.
According to Inspector Mbeha, a scuffle ensued while Uwu-khaeb continued with his attack on the TransNamib employee. In the process, Uwu-khaeb was shot in the chest.
She said the wounded man was rushed to the Otjiwarongo State Hospital by ambulance but that he succumbed to the gunshot wound at around 16:45 while medical personnel was still attempting to stabilize him.
“The TransNamib employee was arrested and charged with murder. The second sleeper thief, a 50-year-old man, was arrested and charged with theft. Both men are set to appear in Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” she said.
The nine-millimetre pistol, with which Uwu-khaeb was shot, was confiscated by the officers investigating the matter.
Inspector Mbeha indicated that the TransNamib employee had a valid license for the firearm that was confiscated.
