Ombalantu cracks down on trigger-happy people

THE Ombalantu Traditional Authority has ordered that firearms be confiscated at all public gatherings in the tribal area.

The decision was made after a recent shooting at a wedding party at Ombundamuti village in the Ombalantu district, where nine people were wounded when revellers fired shots in the air with a shotgun and two pistols. Three of them were seriously injured.Both the regional Police chief and the Councillor for Anamulenge Constituency condemned the practice of firing celebratory shots at parties.In a statement issued by Ombalantu Chief Oswin Mukulu, the traditional authority said the order will be implemented immediately.”We cannot just sit idle while people are taking the law into their own hands and injuring other people.The decision taken by the traditional authority is serious and every one in the Ombalantu traditional community area has to obey that decision, or he or she will be dealt with,” the statement said.The Police have arrested a member of the Namibian Defence Force in connection with the Ombundamuti shooting.The man, Valentius Ipuleni Nauyala (43), appeared in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.He was not asked to plead, and his case was postponed to March 4 for further Police investigation.He was granted bail of N$500.Three of them were seriously injured.Both the regional Police chief and the Councillor for Anamulenge Constituency condemned the practice of firing celebratory shots at parties.In a statement issued by Ombalantu Chief Oswin Mukulu, the traditional authority said the order will be implemented immediately.”We cannot just sit idle while people are taking the law into their own hands and injuring other people.The decision taken by the traditional authority is serious and every one in the Ombalantu traditional community area has to obey that decision, or he or she will be dealt with,” the statement said.The Police have arrested a member of the Namibian Defence Force in connection with the Ombundamuti shooting.The man, Valentius Ipuleni Nauyala (43), appeared in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.He was not asked to plead, and his case was postponed to March 4 for further Police investigation.He was granted bail of N$500.