Victoria Immanuel

Auleria Wakudumo

Police in the Ohangwena region have opened a murder case against a 12-year-old boy for allegedly stabbing to death his 18-year-old brother.

This is the third such murder to occur in Ohangwena within five days – all involving family disputes that turned deadly.

Two other incidents, which happened over the weekend, involve a 24-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed her brother to death in Okango, and a 26-year-old man – reportedly suffering from mental illness – who allegedly fatally hacked his 88-year-old grandmother with a panga. The suspect in the latter case also reportedly injured his seven-year-old nephew and 14-year-old niece during the attack, which took place at Oshikuyu village.

The incident involving the 12-year-old boy happened at Ondobe Yomunghudi village at around 20h00 on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Nathanael Johannes.

Ohangwena police spokesperson Warrant Officer Andreas Nghiyolwa confirmed the incident.

Nghiyolwa said the suspect was asleep when his mother and older brother arrived home, and only woke up when their argument grew louder.

According to reports, the trouble started earlier that evening at a local cuca shop, where the older brother allegedly had an argument with their mother over a jar of tombo (a traditional brew).

At home, the younger brother stepped in to assist their mother. However, tensions rose again, and a fight broke out between the siblings.

During the altercation, the suspect allegedly stabbed his elder brother in the chest with a knife. He died on the spot.

Woman appears in court

In a separate incident in Ohangwena, a woman appeared in court for allegedly stabbing her brother to death during a heated family altercation. She was remanded in custody and the case postponed to 22 September 2025.

Rosalia Abraham appeared before Magistrate Adriana Sanguju in the Ohangwena Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where she was formally charged with murder.

State prosecutor Pallhus Shuudeni strongly opposed bail, arguing that the seriousness of the offence warrants the accused remaining in custody.

According to a police report, the incident happened late at night when Abraham returned home from a local cuca shop.

Upon arrival, she allegedly found her brother sleeping in their mother’s bedroom, along with other family members.

The report states that Abraham began insulting their mother, prompting the deceased to intervene and ask her to stop.

A heated argument ensued between the siblings, during which Abraham allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed her brother once in the chest. He died on the spot.

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