Residents shocked by attack on priest

RUNDU – Hundreds of residents from Nyangana village in eastern Kavango on Friday staged a peaceful demonstration to express their shock at an attack on a Roman Catholic Priest, 85-year-old Bernard Roosemalyn.

Roosemalyn was assaulted and robbed of cash and a rifle at around 19h30 on Monday. Three youths were arrested.The Police recovered N$1 220 in cash, a .22 Mauser rifle and ammunition.Father Roosemalyn was admitted to the Nyangana Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.Reading the petition on behalf of the demonstrators, Christopher Ndembere said the incident had sent shockwaves through the region.They pressed for the culprits to be given stiff sentences.The demonstrators also demanded that no bail be granted to the suspects because of the danger they might pose to the community.According to angry demonstrators, the same suspects had allegedly committed other offences in the constituency in the past but nothing had been done.Receiving the petition, the Regional Councillor for the Ndiyona Constituency, Sebastian Karupu, assured demonstrators that the petition would be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice immediately.Demonstrators waved placards with messages such as ‘parents have to educate young children to respect adults’, ‘those that attack the elderly should be jailed for life’ and ‘protect our missionaries from criminals’.- Nampa, Staff ReporterThree youths were arrested.The Police recovered N$1 220 in cash, a .22 Mauser rifle and ammunition.Father Roosemalyn was admitted to the Nyangana Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.Reading the petition on behalf of the demonstrators, Christopher Ndembere said the incident had sent shockwaves through the region.They pressed for the culprits to be given stiff sentences.The demonstrators also demanded that no bail be granted to the suspects because of the danger they might pose to the community.According to angry demonstrators, the same suspects had allegedly committed other offences in the constituency in the past but nothing had been done.Receiving the petition, the Regional Councillor for the Ndiyona Constituency, Sebastian Karupu, assured demonstrators that the petition would be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice immediately.Demonstrators waved placards with messages such as ‘parents have to educate young children to respect adults’, ‘those that attack the elderly should be jailed for life’ and ‘protect our missionaries from criminals’.- Nampa, Staff Reporter