Family of slain rugby player wants justice

THE family of a Lüderitz rugby player Zaza Rikin Cloete, who was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer on Sunday, say they want justice.

Cloete and a police officer, identified as Mervin Pieters, were both shot and killed by another law enforcement officer on Sunday after midnight in Agata settlement at the town. The suspect has not been arrested.

Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi confirmed the incident.

“An investigation is launched. A test will be conducted to find out where the shots came from because another police officer was shot. No one was arrested,” said Shikwambi.

Spokesperson of the Cloete family, Nancy Cloete, aunt of the deceased, says they want the person responsible brought to book.

“We, as a family, are deeply hurt that our son was taken from us,” said Cloete.

She also shared that Cloete was very determined and worked hard to support his mother and sisters.

“We lost a great soul,” said Sandra Dames, who is also an aunt of the deceased.

Residents of Lüderitz plan to protest in front of the police station tomorrow if no arrest is made.

“We, as the community, family and friends of the deceased, are deeply hurt at the justice system because the suspect is not in police custody and we will protest until the suspect is detained,” said a resident and close friend of the deceased.

The suspect is believed to be at the Namibian Defence Force base where he works and stays.

Lüderitz mayor Anna-Marie Hartzenberg told The Namibian that she stands with the community regarding the protest.

“This incident has touched us all. Two people were killed. It is just fair that the suspect be detained,” said Hartzenberg.

According to a witness at the scene and a friend of the deceased rugby player, they were at a friend’s birthday celebration on that fateful night when police forces patrolling the area instructed them to disperse as it was curfew time.

According to the witness, Cloete and his six friends were waiting for the driver of the vehicle they came with.

Cloete and his friends waited a few hours, as the owner of the vehicle was allegedly not there.

The police officers are said to get agitated and instructed Cloete and his friend to get into the police vehicle for the law enforcement officers to drop them at their homes.

Everyone got onto the police van except Cloete who was adamant that he would wait for the owner of the bakkie because his house keys and other personal belongings were in that vehicle.

“You can talk to me but don’t touch me,” were his final words before he got into a tussle with officer Pieters.

While the two wrestled, the suspect was allegedly hitting Cloete on the back with his AK-47 service rifle.

The witness further alleged that he heard three shots and saw Pieters collapse from the back and Cloete lying in his own pool of blood.

Both Cloete and Pieters were taken to the local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.

Cloete played for Ocean Swallows, a community rugby team based at Lüderitz, before joining Western Suburbs rugby club in Windhoek. He was also called up for the national rugby side.

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