‘I fear for my life’

ONE of the Ministry of Works and Transport’s employees, whose name was written with seven others in a traditional bowl known as etiti, which was found buried a fortnight ago, says she fears for her life.

The bowl was found buried near the road to Oshakati. Senior administrative officer at the Ondangwa government garage Julius Shongolo allegedly buried it, and attempted to commit suicide subsequent to its discovery.

Shongolo allegedly shot himself under his chin, but he is currently recuperating from his injuries in the intensive care unit of Oshakati Intermediate Hospital.

The employee, who requested not to be identified, says she was shocked to discover that her name was written in the bowl buried by Shongolo.

“Our working relationship was cordial and he did not show any sign of being revengeful.

“I was afraid when I learnt that he wrote my name in the bowl. I have never heard or seen anyone writing other people’s names in a traditional bowl. It’s bizarre and unheard of. I did nothing wrong to him,” she says.

“We don’t know his intention but we want him to recover so that he can tell us why he had written our names in the traditional bowl and buried it,” she adds.

Every time she passes the place where the pot was buried, she fears that something could happen to her.

“People say if witchcraft-linked materials have been discovered, nothing will happen to you but who knows that indeed nothing will happen to us?”

She says she would like to visit Shongolo in the hospital but she is afraid. She also adds that she does not have the strength to return to work.

Shongolo’s cousin Tobias Emvula, whose name was also written in the traditional bowl, refused to comment on the matter. Emvula is the retired head of the Ondangwa government garage.

On whether or not Shongolo would face a disciplinary hearing for burying the bowl with the names of his colleagues written on it, Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Julius Ngweda says the ministry cannot say much about the matter.

“I think that [quiet] is the respectful thing to do. Someone is in pain here you are planning how to bomb him. We don’t know much about the story of the clay pot,” he said.

Among the names appearing in the bowl are the head of Ondangwa’s government garage, Aron Amakali, the deputy director of the garage, Nande Amakali, and the chief artisan foreman, Mathew Ameya. Other names include the director of the government garage, Sam Kadhikwa, works inspector Josephina Shekudja, a certain Konstaatin, who is an investigator at the ministry and chief works inspector George Kapofi.

The bowl, together with a copy of a charge sheet issued to Shongolo, were discovered by a trainee at the government garage, who also allegedly discovered a plastic washing bowl and an empty five-litre container.

He allegedly saw Shongolo, who was travelling in his official vehicle at the time, burying something near the road.

Shongolo is facing charges of misconduct in connection with the procurement of car parts worth about N$120 000.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.