Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tracy Tafirenyika
Published on 2024-02-21 17:00:00
A high-level meeting of police officials was held yesterday to address the unauthorized disclosure of the post-mortem report related to one of the five individuals killed by the police at Okahandja last year. The meeting comes after a doctor, who declined to be named, told The Namibian that an interpretation of the autopsy report shows that the police appear to have intentionally killed the victim. The post-mortem report details of one of the five victims were shared on social media by Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) economic commissar Michael Amushelelo.
The police announced that they killed five individuals at Okahandja last year for allegations of robbery during a police search. They were identified as Erikki ‘Akawa’ Martin, Abed Andreas, Marius Ipinge, Malaika Kotokeni, and Flavianus Endjala. Their family members have since last year accused the police of deliberately killing the victims under the guise of crime prevention. Amushelelo has in the past week accused the police of covering up the case and failing to take action against the police officers.
More than 20 police officials reportedly met in Windhoek this week to discuss the saga, now known as the killing of the Okahandja 5. Sources said the main focus of the meeting was on who leaked the autopsy report, as well as the performance of the Serious Crimes Department. Police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed the meeting occurred but declined to comment on the details discussed. However, she indicated that the substantive offices were to meet, and she would respond once feedback is received.
A doctor interpreted the autopsy report, indicating that the shooting was an intentional ‘shoot-to-kill’ scenario at close range. The suspect, Malakia Kotokeni, sustained eight gunshot wounds, with four bullets penetrating his chest, indicating a close-range shooting. The post-mortem examination report, seen by The Namibian, reveals multiple gunshot wounds from different directions and trajectories. The majority of the wounds had approximately similar measurements.
According to the report on Kotokeni, his manner of death was assault and the immediate cause of death was by gunshot wounds. Namibian Police deputy inspector general Elias Mutota announced an investigation into a case of murder against the police officers who shot and killed the five men at Okahandja last year. According to Mutota’s report, the police received intelligence about a planned robbery at a farm in the Khomas district and a gambling house at Okahandja. Mutota claimed that during the chase, the suspects opened fire at the police vehicle, resulting in an exchange of shots before the vehicle stopped.
When police officers approached the suspects’ vehicle, they found five suspects inside, all of whom were declared dead by medical officers who were dispatched to the scene. Last year, The Namibian reported that NEFF representative Epafras Mukwiilongo, an uncle to one of the deceased alleged robbers, Erick ‘Akawa’ Martin, claimed the suspected robbers were handcuffed before they were shot dead. Mukwiilongo accused the police of committing a crime by killing the suspects and alleged that the suspected robbers did not shoot at the police officers and were not trespassing on any property.
The investigation of the incident has raised concerns about the conduct of the police officers involved, the performance of the Serious Crimes Department, and the handling of the case. The leaked autopsy report has intensified the scrutiny on the police’s actions and has prompted a comprehensive review of the investigation.
The incident has sparked a public outcry and has put pressure on the police to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the Okahandja 5. As the investigation continues, there is growing demand for accountability and justice for the victims. The revelation of the autopsy report has raised significant questions about the conduct and actions of the police officers involved in the shooting, and the public is demanding answers and accountability.
Read the original article on The Namibian
