‘Haunted’ man sets own car on fire

Windhoek residents were left shell-shocked on Wednesday afternoon after a man at Olympia torched his vehicle claiming he was being haunted by a church that wants to take all his assets.

Speaking to The Namibian at the scene yesterday, Fillemon Kashuku (38), a teacher by profession and gardener, said he was convinced to join the Sem Abiatar Ministries church by a female acquaintance.

The Namibian could not reach Abiatar yesterday, however, a senior member of the church, who preferred anonymity, confirmed they know Kashuku, but dismissed allegations that the church was trying to seize his assets. The senior church member said he was responding on behalf of “the man of God” who was not available to comment as he was travelling.

“We encourage you to trace his medical records. Maybe there is something wrong with him,” he said.

Kashuku, who is from Onamuyege village, claims that he started attending the church after he was introduced by the female acquaintance until the pastor insisted that the two get married, which he did not want.

Kashuku further alleges that when he refused to marry, he left and Abiatar and some church members started following him.
“They (the church) want to take my cars and properties and I decided that there is no way they will get it [sic]. I used to tell the government and the police, but no one wants to hear me. So, I burned the car,” Kashuku said.

“I went to the service station, bought a box of matches, drove here and lit up [sic] my car, because they wanted my possessions.”

“He (Abiatar) also has my money, which he does not want to give back. He kept on forcing me to get married, with threats and following me wherever I go. They also have a mirror that they use to watch me even when I’m bathing. Wherever I go, they are monitoring my life,” he said.

Kashuku said he tried to seek help from his superior and family to no avail.

His quest for help, Kashuku said, also included a police officer from Walvis Bay.

Kashuku said the church would send people to take videos of him washing his car and send them to his bosses, who now do not want anything to do with him.

“This is all in the name of Sem. They want to bewitch me. They take videos while I am taking a shower. I don’t sleep any more. I have cried out for help, but no one wants to help me. It’s not possible, there’s no church that can operate like that, people must look into it,” he said.

Kashuku further claimed that his church took videos of him while reading his Bible, which were shared on social media platforms such as TikTok in attempts to ridicule him.

“They have also taken me to a hospital in Eros,” he said.

Kashiku’s neighbour and boss, Catherin Laggner, told The Namibian yesterday that he works for him as a gardener.

“This is my first time hearing him do something like this. I don’t know him like that,” she said.

Laggner, who was also at the scene, said she has contacted his sister to help in the matter.

Namibian Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said there is no case registered on the issue yet and the police can only get involved if there is an element of a crime.

“If there is any element of a crime, it should be reported to the police,” Shikwambi said.
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Shikwambi added: “It is a hazard for motorists to ignite a fire next to a national road and it can also start a veld fire, which is dangerous.”
– Additional reporting by Otto Gottlieb

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