By Anna Shilongo
WINDHOEK
Three trial awaiting prisoners escaped from the Opuwo Police Station last week Tuesday. The three escapees apparently cut burglar bars with unknown objects and escaped.
According to the police crime report, the three escaped at about 23h59. Their alleged crimes include murder, housebreaking and stock theft. Two of them were however arrested this week.
The Regional Commander of the Kunene Region, Deputy Commissioner Mandume Shifonono, confirmed their re-arrest.
Shifonono identified the two escapees as 21-year-old Vendjipa Tjiahura Kavara and 32-year-old Poronjo Kurooro, who were arrested at different villages.
Kavara was arrested at the Epupa Supermarket while Kurooro was arrested at Ongongo village in Opuwo.
They were arrested with the help of community members. One of the escapees was apparently found hiding with family members, while the other was found at a supermarket.
The commissioner appealed to the community to cooperate with the police to eliminate crime at the town.
“We are appealing to the public to assist us in tracing and re-arresting the remaining escapee. Our success depends on you. We can never combat crime if the public keeps relevant information to themselves,” said the regional commander.
Seventeen-year-old Epafuras Venasius is still at large. Venasius, who is accused of murder, is regarded as dangerous.
At the same time, Shifonono sounded a strong warning to the escapee still at large to surrender to the police immediately.
“No matter how long it takes, the law will arrest you. You can never run away from the enforcement unit, and we will ensure that you face the results of your actions,” said the commissioner.
Asked how the three escaped, Shifonono said “We are looking into that matter and at the moment investigations are being carried out.”
Meanwhile, two men aged 24 and 37 drowned in the early hours of Wednesday last week at Katima Mulilo after they were allegedly attacked by a hippo while fishing. Their bodies have not been found but police investigations continue.
Still in Katima Mulilo at Mukawa village, a 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 30- year-old Zambian national. The suspect is still at large and police investigations continue. Another rape case was reported in the Omusati Region at Lishnaputa village, Uukolonkadhi, where a man allegedly raped a 5-year-old girl. The suspect is still at large and police investigations continue.
In the Karas Region at Tseiblaagte settlement, a 24-year-old male suspect was arrested for allegedly stabbing a 28-year-old victim three times in his left side and back with a knife and robbing him of N$200.
According to the police crime report, the victim was rushed to hospital and was admitted to the Keetmanshoop State Hospital. A case of attempted murder has been opened against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the police recovered a Toyota Hilux pick-up that was stolen from Natis Valley in Windhoek last week Wednesday.
The suspect was arrested on the same day at about 18h00 on the Okahandja/Usakos road next to Wilhelmstal.