Okahandja residents demand expo cancellation, mayor Kotungondo’s resignation after Maasdorp, Fabian murders

Chaos erupted at the Okahandja municipality on Saturday after angry residents called for the resignation of mayor Beatrice Kotungondo.

This follows her refusal to postpone the Okahandja Tourism and Trade Expo amid two murder investigations.

The residents’ outrage follows the deaths of Roslin Fabian (6) and Ingrid Maasdorp (5), whose bodies were recently discovered at the town.

Kotungondo, during a heated meeting with the community, announced a N$50 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s).

“The expo will continue. The expo continuing and the police investigation are two different things. We will as a muncipality go ahead, no matter what,” she said.

The mayor insisted the expo would not interfere with police investigations.

Community activist /Gorub /Gariseb warned that the expo could disrupt the police’s efforts to apprehend suspects.

“We do not want any entertainment while we are trying to find the suspects at this town. All these distractions might just make the suspect run further,” he said.

Community leader Petrus Kampuku raised concerns over the rising crime rate at the town, saying Okahandja only has one police station, making it difficult to deal with serious cases.

“Since independence to date Okahandja has had one police station only. How about you set up more mobile stations to decrease crime?

“For so many years we have been crying for change at this town, but nothing. We are honestly so tired, and now children are being murdered,” he said.

Amid growing frustration, social justice activist Michael Amushelelo told the mayor he would ensure the expo does not take place, and accused her of making an “ignorant” decision.

Some vendors at the meeting demanded refunds from the municipality for the stalls they had paid for due to uncertainty about the expo.