A northern-based ‘witch doctor’, Kenedy Kasume (42), also known as Dr Andrew, was arrested on Sunday in connection with allegedly shooting and kidnapping an employee.
Kasume is accused of shooting Theofelus Shanyengandje (28) in the thigh and hand on 1 May at a residence in Ongwediva. He appeared in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and was denied bail.
Kasume on social media calls himself “the strongest Namibian herbalist” who helps with chasing away evil spirits, removing bad luck, relationship and financial problems, and bringing back lost lovers.
According to the police incident report, the shooting followed a misunderstanding between the two men.
The misunderstanding allegedly led to Shanyengandje seeking alternative accommodation.
According to the report, on that fateful day before the shooting, Shanyengandje informed Kasume that he was moving out of the residence which the duo shared.
“Upon informing the suspect that he was moving out, the situation escalated. The suspect (Kasume) allegedly refused to let the victim leave, suddenly struck him on the mouth with a fist, pulled out a firearm, and hit him on the head with the butt of the pistol. The suspect then fired one shot that struck the wall, followed by a second shot that hit the victim on the left thigh. As the victim’s left hand was on his trouser pocket at the time, his index and middle fingers were also injured by the same shot,” the police say in the report.
The police say the victim reportedly requested to be taken to the police station, but Kasume allegedly refused.
He allegedly administered first aid to the victim and drove with the victim to the Elim area in the Omusati region that same night, where he allegedly kept the victim for several days.
“During that time, the suspect took the victim to a private doctor and instructed him to claim that he had shot himself. Later, the suspect transported the victim to Ondjongulume, where the victim managed to escape, came to Oshakati and informed his relatives. The victim is employed by the suspect,” the police say.
When Kasume appeared in court yesterday, prosecutor Shylock Mulijani, representing the State in the matter, said Kasume faces counts of attempted murder, kidnapping and defeating the course of justice.
Mulijani denied Kasume bail due to the seriousness of the offence and because granting him bail would not be in the public interest or the interest of the administration of justice.
Other grounds include the State’s fear that Kasume may interfere with police investigations and that the State has prima facie evidence against Kasume.
His case was postponed to 6 October for further police investigations.
However, Kasume will make his second appearance in court on 3 June for a bail hearing. Kasume is represented by lawyer Mukaya Nyambe.
Kasume was previously accused of scamming a pensioner out of her house in Windhoek in 2014. At the time, Kasume allegedly claimed to be helping the pensioner fight evil spirits.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
The Namibia Broadcasting Corporation last year reported that a 60-year-old cattle farmer from Omakange in the Omusati region almost lost N$400 000 to Kasume at Oshakati.
It is alleged that the pensioner sought Kasume’s assistance after he lost eight cattle and wanted help in retrieving them.
After paying a deposit of N$16 500 to the herbalist, he was instructed to get an additional N$400 000 as someone was out to kill him.
The man then went to withdraw the funds; however, the bank informed the police, who escorted him to ‘Dr Andrew’s’ house. After lengthy talks, the man changed his mind, and the herbalist returned all the money with the help of the police.
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