Attorney general Festus Mbandeka has condemned the killing of Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, describing it as a targeted attack on the rule of law and Namibia’s democratic institutions.
Speaking to Nampa on the sidelines of a send-off ceremony at Eros Airport in Windhoek on Thursday, Mbandeka said Shiweda was killed while carrying out her duties on behalf of the nation.
“We are here to pay respects to our colleague who died in the line of duty. She died a very tragic death in the sense that she was attacked and killed because she was doing her work on behalf of this nation,” he said.
Mbandeka said although judicial officers and court officials have faced attacks before, the fatal attack on Shiweda is the first of its kind in Namibia.
Shiweda was shot three times and doused with acid on the morning of 17 October last year, while preparing to take her children to school and subsequently go to work.
It is alleged that the perpetrators are linked to a criminal matter in which she was prosecuting.
Six suspects have since been arrested in the matter.
Family members, friends, colleagues and members of the legal fraternity gathered at Eros Airport to bid farewell to Shiweda as her body was flown to Ondangwa.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday at Onambango, with her burial set for Saturday, Mbandeka revealed.
He added that the nation is mourning alongside Shiweda’s family, including her two children and parents.
“We condemn this incident and as a nation we want to unite against this. We shall make sure that Justine didn’t die in vain,” he said.
He said the government has initiated both short-term and long-term measures to strengthen security for judicial officers and court officials, including at courts and at their residences.
Mbandeka declined to provide further details, saying the process was still internal and ongoing.
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