RUNDU – The family of a police shooting victim, Joseph Kautjingu Ndondji, who was shot dead on 3 March 2023 during a joint police operation, have successfully sued the authorities for N$ 1.3 million. 

They were represented by Rundu-based lawyer Bernhard Tjatjara. Initially, the family sued for N$3 million for the maintenance and support of the deceased’s seven minor children and his parents who depended on him. 

They also sued for emotional shock, pain and suffering by the children and parents. 

They were awarded N$1.3 million in a civil claim by the High Court. 

The joint operation included members of the Namibian Police, Namibian Defence Force and officials of the environment and tourism ministry. 

The three institutions will share the legal costs, which are yet to be determined. The police in Kavango East at the time informed New Era that Ndondji was suspected to have been dealing in pangolin skins. 

However, they found that the deceased had no possession of the pangolin skin or any wildlife products on him. He was also unarmed. Ndondji was allegedly shot in the head and chest. 

He died at the Rundu Intermediate Hospital from gunshot wounds. 

The late Ndondji, a self-employed butcher, who sold beef along the highway in Rundu, was allegedly shot after he failed to heed police warnings, and ran off. The particulars of the claim filed in the High Court read: “During his lifetime, Ndondji had a legal duty, to contribute to his parents’ support by buying their food and day-to-day necessary expenses, including hospital expenses”. 

It reads further that had he not been killed, he would have been legally obliged to continue supporting his elderly parents. 

Aloys Mbombi, a brother of the deceased, said the High Court outcome brought some sort of relief. 

He said his brother’s dependants will be well cared for as a result of the civil claim awarded. 

“As a family, we are thankful to our lawyer, who fought for us to at least get something that will wipe off the tears of his children and parents, whom he took care of when he was alive,” said Mbombi. 

He said although the loss of life could never be fully compensated, the family has accepted the outcome of the civil claim. 

“We have lost our loved one, and we have accepted it because there’s nothing we can do. He worked hard. When he died, his children and parents were stranded and had no support. That prompted us to get a lawyer to sue so that they can be supported financially, as they have no support left,” he said. 

– jmuyamba@nepc.com.na