‘He keeps asking when his mom will come home’

Gobabis family devasted after boy (13) allegedly kills his cousin (3) and cousin’s mom

“He keeps asking when his mother and little sister will return,” a devastated Christophine Tjipanga (57) says two days after a brutal double murder shocked Gobabis.

Tjipanga’s son’s girlfriend, Nacky Menatzick (26), was slain next to her daughter, Delanie Menatzick (3), at around 11h20 on Friday, leaving her son (6) orphaned.

The suspect is Menatzick’s partner, Immanuel Tjipanga’s nephew (13).

The police say the teenager allegedly locked the door of the house to prevent them from fleeing, and witnesses saw Menatzick pushing her six-year-old through a window to seek help.

The boy, who sustained stab wounds during the attack, ran to Epako Police Station to alert the authorities.

Delanie was found alive but severely injured. She was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance, but later succumbed to her injuries.

The teenage suspect has been arrested.

Omaheke Regional Commander Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze has confirmed the incident.

Tjipanga says the incident left the family broken, not understanding the motive behind the incident.

“The boy grew up with us. We are not aware of any substance he uses,” she says.

Tjipanga says the family is now in need of financial assistance to prepare for Nacky’s funeral at Rosh Pinah, her hometown.

Immanuel (30), Nacky’s partner, was yesterday too shocked to speak to The Namibian.

“Both Immanuel and the six-year-old will be seeing a social worker,” his mother says.

According to Omaheke head of community policing subdivision chief inspector Fina Sakajengenga, the police are investigating a double murder case.

“A commotion erupted between the victim and the suspect, who is Nacky’s partner’s nephew. Nacky was with her two children and the suspect inside the house when the commotion started,” she says.

A neighbour allegedly saw the teenage suspect closing the door to prevent anyone from getting out of the house.

“The neighbour saw Nacky letting her six-year-old out through the window to seek help. The neighbour heard constant screams until there was silence,” Sakajengenga says.

“The six-year-old got out the window and ran to Epako Police Station to inform the police. He was taken to Epako Clinic where he is being attended to as he was also stabbed,” she says.

Windhoek-based clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker says the incident could have been triggered by psychological factors, adding that teenage boys tend to have poor emotional regulation, which could lead to violence.

“Other factors are family dynamics, conflicted relationships, feelings of rejection, and rivalry with close relatives caused by unresolved issues,” he says.

Whittaker says background also plays a role. If the teenager was exposed to trauma or violence, aggression becomes a way of coping and expressing emotions.

With teenagers peer influence, environmental issues, overwhelming emotions, and substance abuse could be involved, or a history of aggression and harsh discipline in the family.

This is not the first case in which a minor is arrested for allegedly murdering relatives.

Last year, a teenager (17) was arrested for allegedly killing six of his family members and setting their home on fire at Usakos’ Hakhaseb informal settlement.

– Additional reporting Nampa

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