|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Thursday, February 22, 2001 - Web posted at 7:19:25 AM GMT Two lose legs to landmines TWO villagers lost a leg each yesterday after stepping on landmines which they say were planted by Angolan government soldiers who raided their homes on Tuesday. The landmines also blew up two telephone poles at Halili, a village 30 kilometres west of Rundu in the Kapako constituency. Other explosive devices were found planted near public telephones. The two victims, an old woman and a boy, stepped on separate anti-personnel mines laid on a path not far from the public phones. The victims are Cecilia Makayi, whose age could not be established, and Joseph Hausiku (9). Telecom Namibia spokesman Oiva Angula said explosive experts had defused eight landmines and had prevented technicians from going near the phones that were out of order. Villagers said they recognised soldiers of the Angolan armed forces (FAA) who raided their homes on Tuesday night. One of the robbery victims, Ignatius Haingura, told Nampa the six armed FAA soldiers took clothes, blankets and N$800 before going to his neighbour where they looted more goods. The attack led to the closure of the Halili Primary School yesterday morning after more than 300 learners refused to attend classes for fear of banditry activities. Most people slept in the bush. Haingura, who is a teacher, said the learners indicated they will only resume classes if the situation at that village returns to normal. Namibian Police demining experts found the anti-personnel landmines planted at different houses. Villagers have complained that other landmines were left in the area wounding Makayi and Hausiku. While attacks related to the spillover of the Angolan civil war into Namibia have declined over the past few months, villagers in north-eastern Namibia have continued to bear the brunt of the banditry. More than 80 people have been killed over the past 15 months and over 1 000 have been injured in attacks by both Angolan government soldiers and rebels of Jonas Savimbi's Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita). Last Saturday, more than 200 Tjeye residents, 20km east of Rundu, held a peaceful demonstration and accused the FAA and Unita of being responsible for several attacks at the village. The killings and maimings escalated towards the end of 1999 when authorities started allowing the FAA to use Namibia as a springboard for its southern front offensive against Unita. The Namibian army has also launched cross-border raids into Angola ostensibly to prevent Unita rebels from attacking people in Namibia. |
PO Box 20783 - Windhoek - 42 John Meinert Street Tel: +264 (61) 236970 - Fax: +264 (61) 233980 e-mail: info@namibian.com.na webmaster@namibian.com.na
|
