Lüderitz family mourns father and daughter killed in shack fire

A family from Lüderitz’s Amilema informal settlement say they are shattered after a father and his daughter died in a shack fire last Wednesday.

Natangwe Simon , the brother of Fillipus Simon (38) who died with his two-year-old daughter, Grace Simon, told The Namibian last week that the deaths have left him devastated. “It’s sad that he lost his life in that manner,” Simon said.

He added: “My brother and I were very close. We lived together and worked together as colleagues. I lost my brother and niece, they did not deserve to die like that.”

Simon told The Namibian that the neighbour suspected of causing the fire showed no remorse, despite having been warned against making fires near their homes.

“The suspect’s family did not apologise or visit our family after the incident; we expected an apology, at least,” he added.

Simon urged neighbours to love one another, remain considerate and helpful to each other and to avoid conflict.
Fillipus used to work as an assistant crane operator at a Lüderitz company.

He is survived by his wife of seven years, and three children. The burial is scheduled for Saturday at his home village in the northern part of the country, Simon said.

||Kharas crime investigation coordinator deputy commissioner Nicodemus Mbango has confirmed the incident. According to the police, the suspect allegedly made a fire to cook maize to sell.

However, the suspect made the fire next to the deceased person’s room, about 52cm from the corrugated iron sheet room.

“It is further alleged that the suspect was cautioned by three neighbours that the flames of her fire were too high and she must reduce it, but she ignored the warning,” Mbango says.

The suspect allegedly went to fetch water at the water point, leaving the fire unattended. Upon her return, the fire had already spread to Fillipus’ shack.

The suspect, Lucia Joel, made her first appearance at the Lüderitz Magistrate’s Court last Friday and is remanded in custody. Her next appearance will be today.

Mathias Jonas, Fillipus’ colleague, describes him as a friendly and polite person who loves jokes.

“He laughed and conversed with everyone, whether friends or strangers. He was a great adviser and was good at taking instructions from the foreman,” he adds.

Jonas recalls his last moments with Fillipus while at work.

“I was with him the day before he died and the day of the incident we were all off.

We were supposed to go back to work the following day. All the other colleagues can attest to his sense of humour.

I will miss him dearly,” Jonas says.
The !Nami≠nüs Constituency Youth Forum at Lüderitz last Friday raised N$2 280 to assist the bereaved family.

Youth forum acting chairperson Junior Mutaleni on Friday expressed gratitude towards the Lüderitz community for donating money to assist the family with funeral arrangements.

“The youth forum has a responsibility to stand in solidarity with the bereaved family during the difficult period so they do not feel alone,” he said.

Participants wore black as a symbol of mourning and respect, Mutaleni added, calling on the public to donate to assist the family where they can.

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