Windhoek
With the rise on suicides reported recently – especially during October which was dubbed “suicide month” – the Namibian Police issued a heartfelt plea to all relevant organisations and civil society to help curb this scourge.
Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi of the Public Relations Office of NamPol said this at the weekly crime briefing when she announced another five suicides and one case of murder/suicide committed over the past weekend.
According to Shikwambi, suicides are one thing that the police can do nothing about, but that civil society, including religious leaders, as well as the media can help with. She said people should be made aware that there is help out there and that suicide is not the only option.
Three out of the six suicides happened in the Khomas Region. In the murder/suicide incident it is reported that Willem Khaib, 37, shot and killed his girlfriend, Eveline Kharises, 37, with a 6mm Browning pistol before he turned the gun on himself. They both died on the spot.
The incident is said that have happened at around 22h50 on October 31 at SaamStaan Location in Tsumeb. The motive behind the incident is unknown.
The body of 60-year old Isai Jason was found hanging from a tree in a riverbed behind Rio Bailey premises in Lafrenz yesterday at around 06h00. No suicide note was left behind and the next of kin was informed. Also yesterday at around 07h00 at the Donkerhoek Location in Katutura, an unidentified man was found hanging from a washing line pole. No suicide note was found and the next of kin has not been informed as yet.
In yet another incident of suicide, 49-year-old Mike Kautuara was found hanging from an electrical wire in his room at a residence in Okuryangava, Katutura, on November 1 at around 08h00. No suicide note was left behind and the next of kin was informed.
Minley Tjitemisa, 37, was found hanging from an electric wire in a toilet just outside Windhoek on the way to Kappsfarm at around 09h30 on October 31. No suicide note was left behind and the next of kin was informed.
In the Omaheke Region it was reported that 48-year-old Richard Tjiparuro was found hanging from an electrical wire in room at Epukiro Post 3 on October 30 at around 06h30.
No suicide note was left behind, the next of kin was informed. In all the above cases police investigations continue.