Rudolf Gaiseb
The Namibian Police have established that a video circulating on social media in which a male inmate is seen being assaulted by other trial-awaiting prisoners in a holding cell, was a ploy aimed at extorting money.
The video was taken in the prison holding cell at Okahandja police station in Otjozondjupa region on Wednesday, 4 December 2024 between 17h00 and 18h00.
Police Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi in a statement yesterday said on Saturday, 30 November 2024, between 02h00-03h00 at a bar in Nau-Aib, Okahandja, Maurtius Tjivinda was beaten on the head with an empty glass bottle, and subsequently died on Monday, 2 December 2024 at Windhoek Central Hospital.
“His next of kin were informed of the death. The suspect, David Kenaihe, was arrested for attempted murder, and held in Okahandja police holding cell No. 6. He appeared in court on 2 December 2024, his case (now murder) was postponed to 20 February 2025, and he was remanded in custody,” Shikwambi stated.
Trial-awaiting prisoners in Cell No. 2 allegedly picked up information about Kenaihe’s case, and decided to make a video of him being attacked in the cells and, by doing so, attempted to extort money from Kenaihe’s family.
In the event that the family paid the money, Kenaihe would not be harmed, and his safety in the cells would be guaranteed.
The alleged male victim, who is said to have been assaulted, was taken to hospital for medical examination, and it was established that there were no visible external or internal injuries on him.
He was then further questioned by investigators and revealed that they, as inmates, had devised the scheme to extort money from his relatives.
It was further established that the video was sent to Kenaihe’s family for them to pay NS1 000 for him not to be harmed, and to guarantee his safety in the cell.
“In lieu of the above, the Namibian Police have launched an investigation into the matter to charge those who are involved, including smuggling of the cell phone into the cells. The public is therefore herewith informed that the said incident was an orchestrated act to extort money. The alleged assault victim is alive and did not sustain any injury, as indicated in the video,” Shikwambi noted.