The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) on Tuesday strongly condemned the alleged fatal shooting of a 39-year-old man, who is believed to be mentally ill, at Otjiwarongo.
The deceased has been identified as Bertold Mwaafa Nakangombe from the Oshana region.
IPC, in a media statement, said that Nakangombe’s alleged killing comes at a time when the public’s concern over perceived police brutality and abuse of force persist.
“The deceased was not a terrorist, a warlord or an enemy, but a citizen living with a mental illness and needed pure medical attention. Therefore, IPC condemns his killing in the strongest possible terms,” it read.
IPC now calls for an immediate, independent investigation into the shooting, as well as a full and transparent public report regarding the event.
Furthermore, the time has come for Namibia to seriously consider the establishment of an independent police complaints authority, which will be a fully independent, civilian-led organisation mandated to receive complaints, investigate allegations of police misconduct, and recommend prosecution where necessary, stated IPC.
The opposition political party said it is also against the police investigating this matter, arguing that self-investigation is tantamount to self-protection.
According to the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) head of community affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Senior Inspector Maureen Mbeha, Nakangombe was allegedly shot and killed at about 08h30 on Monday morning by a police officer who came to investigate a report from some community members that he was terrorising them at a taxi rank while armed with a panga.
A team of police officers who responded to the complaint allegedly found Nakangombe armed with a panga, threatening members of the public, said Mbeha.
During the intervention, the man allegedly advanced on one of the police officers at close range while wielding his panga.
“The officer reportedly retreated and subsequently discharged his R5 firearm, striking the man in the head,” Mbeha said.
The victim fell to the ground and was taken to the Otjiwarongo State Hospital, where he died.
The police officer wo allegedly shot the victim is still not arrested, as investigations are still at an early stage, Mbeha said.
(NAMPA)
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