Erongo Council member in fistfight

A FISTFIGHT broke out between a senior official of the Erongo Regional Council and a businessman at Walvis Bay on Friday – in full view of various VIPs who had gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Deputy Director of Planning of the Erongo Regional Council, Vikurupa Kavendjii, came to blows with the owner of Magic Discounters, Puna Olivier, in the Legal Shield office. The argument was apparently over a refund that Kavendjii wanted for a bed he had bought from Olivier’s shop.Just opposite the Legal Shield office in the Magic Discounters arcade, Walvis Bay Mayor Derek Klazen was inaugurating Cell One’s new shop.Other VIPs who witnessed the incident included the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Cell One; the Erongo Governor and most of the Walvis Bay Council.Kavendjii apparently spotted Olivier at the ceremony and approached him about the refund that he claimed was due to him.They took their discussion into the Legal Shield office in order not to disturb the proceedings.Just when it was Mayor Klazen’s turn to speak, a loud bang disrupted his speech, and all eyes were drawn to the Legal Shield office.The sound had been caused by Olivier crashing into the office window before dropping to the floor.Legal Shield’s regional manager, Jaco van Tonder, intervened in the fight and pulled Kavendjii away from the prostrate Olivier as female office workers ran for safety.More furniture was pushed around as Kavendjii allegedly grappled with Van Tonder, who was calling out for someone to summon the Police.When Kavendjii eventually left the office, Governor Samuel Nuuyoma took him aside and tried to calm him down.Afterwards, the Governor heard Olivier’s side of the story, apparently with the intention to try and resolve matters.Mayor Klazen kept his composure and restarted his speech, saying that “Walvis Bay is where things happen”, and the launch ceremony continued.The argument was apparently over a refund that Kavendjii wanted for a bed he had bought from Olivier’s shop.Just opposite the Legal Shield office in the Magic Discounters arcade, Walvis Bay Mayor Derek Klazen was inaugurating Cell One’s new shop.Other VIPs who witnessed the incident included the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Cell One; the Erongo Governor and most of the Walvis Bay Council.Kavendjii apparently spotted Olivier at the ceremony and approached him about the refund that he claimed was due to him.They took their discussion into the Legal Shield office in order not to disturb the proceedings. Just when it was Mayor Klazen’s turn to speak, a loud bang disrupted his speech, and all eyes were drawn to the Legal Shield office.The sound had been caused by Olivier crashing into the office window before dropping to the floor. Legal Shield’s regional manager, Jaco van Tonder, intervened in the fight and pulled Kavendjii away from the prostrate Olivier as female office workers ran for safety.More furniture was pushed around as Kavendjii allegedly grappled with Van Tonder, who was calling out for someone to summon the Police.When Kavendjii eventually left the office, Governor Samuel Nuuyoma took him aside and tried to calm him down.Afterwards, the Governor heard Olivier’s side of the story, apparently with the intention to try and resolve matters.Mayor Klazen kept his composure and restarted his speech, saying that “Walvis Bay is where things happen”, and the launch ceremony continued.