Desmarius Hansen
Human remains believed to be those of a missing Ovitoto man have been discovered in an area previously searched by police, raising fresh questions about the disappearance of 36-year-old Siegfried Muyanga.
The discovery was reported on Wednesday afternoon by Frieda Kaugo and Shaun-Gariseb, who were among those who initiated the search for Muyanga after he disappeared during a hunting trip in April.
According to information shared by Gariseb, a cattle herder stumbled upon the remains, alongside clothing, in the Ovitoto area.
Police reportedly attended the scene, with Kaugo accompanying officers on Wednesday as investigations into the discovery continued.
The identity of the remains has not yet been confirmed, and the family is awaiting the formal identification process.
Muyanga disappeared after joining two other men on a hunting trip. His disappearance prompted extensive searches involving the Namibian Police, regional authorities, traditional leaders and community members.
In April, police said search operations had covered several farms and surrounding areas, but difficult terrain, heavy rainfall and dense vegetation hampered efforts to locate him.
A police progress report seen by the Windhoek Observer also detailed how Muyanga had allegedly become exhausted during the hunting trip, prompting his companions to make a fire and roast meat for him before proceeding towards Okahandja to arrange transport.
The two men reportedly returned alone, believing Muyanga was walking behind them and would eventually find his way home.
His mother subsequently raised concerns about the handling of the investigation, including alleged communication failures and a possible conflict of interest involving the investigating officer.
She requested that the inspector handling the case be replaced, alleging a lack of communication and progress in the investigation, which was then five months old.
She further claimed that the inspector’s alleged relationship with one of the men who was last with Muyanga could amount to a conflict of interest.
“We believe the inspector has a personal relationship (brother-in-law) with Peka, who was the last to know the whereabouts of Siegfried Muyanga,” she said.
Police disputed claims that the case had not received adequate attention, maintaining that extensive searches had been conducted.
The reported discovery comes after nine months of uncertainty for the family, which had continued appealing for information about Muyanga’s whereabouts.
Further details surrounding the discovery, including the identity of the remains and the circumstances of Muyanga’s disappearance, are still being established.
