WINDHOEK – The police have increased the reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest of fugitive Lazarus Natangwe Shaduka, from N$20 000 to N$100 000.
Two years ago New Era reported that the Namibian Police admitted the N$20 000 reward was not bearing any fruit.
“The Namibian Police (NamPol) announce the increase of the reward from N$20 000 to N$100 000 for any person who may come forth and provide information that would lead to the apprehension or arrest of fugitive Lazarus Natangwe Shaduka, 46,” Inspector Slogan Matheus from the NamPol Public Relations Department informed the media on Sunday during the weekly crime briefing.
Matheus said the reward was increased to serve as an added incentive to motivate and encourage people to give information.
Police chief Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga felt the N$20 000 reward was no longer an adequate incentive for people to volunteer information, as the fugitive Shaduka has been on the run for too long now, and he had indicated the police would increase the reward.
“Yes, we are confident that more people will come forward, because in as far as crime prevention and combating is concerned, the Namibian people have been very much helpful on that front, therefore the reward will serve as an added incentive to encourage more people to come forward with information about the whereabouts of the fugitive Shaduka,” the inspector informed New Era yesterday.
Shaduka fled Namibia into Angola on December 13 2012, through the Oshikango border post in Ohangwena Region moments after the Supreme Court of Namibia set aside the High Court conviction of culpable homicide and replaced it with a conviction of murder and an effective imprisonment of 20 years for the killing of his wife.
“He fled to Angola, where he is believed to have relatives, but it cannot be confirmed whether he is still in Angola. Since 13 December 2012 the police have been in pursuit of Shaduka, and continue to search far and wide, and have also established close contacts with authorities in other foreign countries to assist in tracing Shaduka,” Matheus said.
The police are encouraging the public no matter in which country Shaduka is suspected of being or alleged to be, to alert or inform the police as the Namibian Government has good bilateral agreements and diplomatic relations with many states the world over, and can easily seek his extradition, he added.
“Fleeing from justice is an overall bad idea. There are no legal benefits for fleeing from justice, hence the police request all Namibians who may have families or relatives living or studying in foreign countries to share the information with them, and to sensitise them about the search for Shaduka and the reward of N$100 000 on offer,” the inspector said.
Any person with information may contact Khomas Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Silvanus Nghishidimbwa at 061-2094221 or alternatively at 0811275510 or 0813385358, or Windhoek Serious Crime Unit Commander Chief Inspector Sackarias Amakali at 061-2094302 or 0813658404.
The police assure utmost confidentiality and secrecy for any person who comes forward with information leading to the arrest of the fugitive.
“I should forthwith warn all the potential and would-be informers to refrain from deliberately giving false and misleading information, as this could lead to unnecessary waste of time and government resources,” Matheus added.