Maria David
A 32-YEAR-OLD man, a well-known herbalist, has been arrested in connection with alleged attempted murder, kidnapping, and defeating the course of justice.
Oshana Regional Commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, said the incident occurred on Workers’ Day between 16:00 and 18:00 at the Makalani Real Estate houses behind Ongwediva Mini Market. The suspect was only arrested on Sunday.
According to Sakaria, the suspect allegedly shot his housemate, Nahum Teofelus Shanyengadje, 28, in the left thigh and left hand with a pistol.
“It is further alleged that the suspect then moved the victim from his residence, instructed him to switch off his phone and not to inform anyone of his whereabouts or what had happened, and subsequently took him to a private doctor without reporting the incident to the police,” he said.
He added that the circumstances leading to the incident reportedly stem from a misunderstanding between the victim and the suspect, who were housemates.
Sakaria indicated that the victim, employed by the suspect, had sought alternative accommodation. On the day of the incident, the victim returned home with a vehicle to transport his belongings to his new residence.
He added that upon informing the suspect that he was moving out, the situation allegedly escalated.
“The suspect allegedly refused to let the victim leave, allegedly striking him in the mouth with a fist before pulling out a firearm. The suspect then allegedly hit the victim on the head with the butt of the pistol, fired a shot that struck the wall, and then fired a second shot that hit the victim in his left thigh,” he added.
Sakaria indicated that the victim’s left hand, which was in his trouser pocket at the time, also sustained injuries to the index and middle fingers from the same bullet.
He said that despite the victim’s request to be taken to the police station, the suspect allegedly refused. Instead, he administered first aid and drove the victim to the Elim area in the Omusati Region that same night, where he allegedly kept him for several days. During this time, the suspect is accused of taking the victim to a private doctor and instructing him to claim he had shot himself.
Further, Sakaria indicated that the suspect later transported the victim to Ondjongulume, from where he managed to escape. He then went to Oshakati and informed his relatives, who subsequently took him to the police station to report the incident.
Sakaria said that police recovered one spent cartridge from the scene, which was booked as Exhibit/POL 7-91/2025.
The victim was transported to Oshakati State Hospital for medical treatment due to signs of infection in his wounds.
Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested and detained in Ongwediva police custody, while a black Glock pistol, believed to be the firearm used in the commission of the alleged offences, was seized.
The suspect is expected to appear in court this week.
