Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Charlotte Nambadja
Published on 2024-02-28 15:00:00
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) member Michael Amushelelo is leading the charge in demanding justice for the killing of five alleged robbery suspects in Okahandja in April of last year. Amushelelo presented a petition to Namibian Police deputy inspector general Elias Mutota in Windhoek expressing his concerns and demanding accountability for the incident.
The shooting incident in Okahandja took place on the evening of April 25, where five men were killed by the police. According to the police, the men were shot after firing at a police car that was pursuing them. It was suspected that the men were planning to carry out an armed robbery at a gambling house in Okahandja. The victims were identified as Erikki ‘Akawa’ Martin, Abed Andreas, Marius Ipinge, Malaika Kotokeni, and Flavianus Endjala.
Amushelelo condemned the incident as an act of police brutality and emphasized the need for the police to uphold human rights. He alleged that the police have been behaving similarly to the apartheid-era ‘Suidwes Afrika Police’ with a lack of regard for human rights and accountability. Amushelelo demanded justice, integrity, and transparency from the police in handling the case.
Expressing his frustration with the police’s response to the incident, Amushelelo set a deadline for the arrest of the officers responsible for the fatal shooting. If no arrests are made by the specified deadline, he plans to organize a protest on March 4 until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In addition to his demands for accountability, Amushelelo accused the police of covering up the case and failing to take appropriate action against the officers involved. However, Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo provided an update on the investigation, stating that two critical statements have been obtained with only one witness statement pending.
Shikongo also mentioned that the sixth suspect in the case was located six months after the incident, and his statement was taken. A total of 51 statements under oath, including 14 supporting documents, have been collected as part of the investigation. Laboratory tests have been finalized, and the police are expected to submit the investigation docket to the prosecutor general for review.
The case has sparked outrage among NEFF members and advocates for justice in Namibia. Amushelelo’s efforts to hold the police accountable for the fatal shooting demonstrate a commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring justice for the victims. As the investigation progresses, the public will be closely monitoring the developments to ensure transparency and integrity in the handling of this case.
Read the original article on The Namibian
