Eba Kandovazu
THE police has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old man, Jaenisiua Tjipurovandu, allegedly at the hands of public members who caught up with him after he reportedly grabbed someone’s phone.
It is alleged Tjipurovandu was on Sunday afternoon assaulted by a group of members of the public after he allegedly grabbed cellphones in the vicinity of Katutura. Nampol Spokesperson, Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, says Tjipurovandu was transported to the Katutura State Hospital but succumbed to injuries on Tuesday. His next of kin have been informed. So far, no suspects have been arrested although a murder case has been opened.
Khomas Regional Crime Coordinator, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, says the police is yet to receive the postmortem report.
“If it comes out that the deceased died as a result of the assault, those responsible will be arrested and will face the full wrath of the law. Our understanding is that he grabbed someone’s phone and the public members caught up with him. I cannot at this stage say how the deceased was assaulted or the severity of his injuries. The postmortem report will explain this,” he says.
Meanwhile, police in Omusati region have apprehended a third suspect who is accused of being part of the gang that robbed a cash-in transit security vehicle at Okalongo on Tuesday. A security guard was shot dead and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen by the suspects.
Two men were arrested that same day after a search in the neighboring villages. Providing an update, Omusati Regional Crime Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Simaho Malakiya, says a third suspect was arrested yesterday. His name is Petrus Kamule, aged 40 years. He was found with N$ 59 230 and q pistol. Other suspects are Michael Kalomo (28), Salom Iiyambo (41) and Marthinis Namholo (34).
They face charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery. Another suspect is on the run. They appeared in the Outapi Magistrate Court this afternoon. According to Malakia, the granting of bail is to be objected as investigations are still outstanding and other three suspect are at Large.
“The suspects, armed with firearms attacked the falcon security guards and shot one security guard, the driver who died on the spot. They shot at the other security guard and the bullet missed, and grabbed three firearms and the cellphone of security guard before they drove away. The Falcon Security car with the boxes of money was driven about five kilometres and dumped in an oshana. The suspects jumped in another vehicle and fled the scene,” Malakia explains.
The three firearms were recovered in the mahangu field suspected to be that of the suspects. The deceased has since been identified as Henok Eduward , aged 55 years hailing from Ondangwa. His next of kin have been informed.
