WALVIS BAY – The safety and security cluster at the coast is reeling in shock after one of its own, Sergeant Eustance Simasiku Matongo, was shot dead in the line of duty.

Matongo was gunned down on Wednesday evening while trying to convince a robbery suspect not to take his own life. 

Matongo (34), was attached to the Walvis Bay Investigation Unit. As details emerged, the tragic shooting sent shockwaves through the community and the Namibian police force, who described Matongo as a dedicated, hardworking officer.

Matongo’s death has been described by Erongo regional police commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona as a great loss to the Namibian Police 

He said this tragedy highlights the constant danger police officers face in their efforts to provide a safe and conducive environment for ordinary Namibians.

Kupembona said the shooting occurred at around 21h40 on Wednesday when the suspect, identified as Jacques Pienaar from Usakos, allegedly robbed somebody at a gambling house in Walvis Bay. “Police officers responded swiftly and found the suspect in the vicinity. 

He was holding a firearm to his head, possibly intending to shoot himself. Our officer tried to talk him out of it. However, during the process, the suspect turned the firearm on our colleague and blatantly shot him,” Kupembona said on Saturday.

Sergeant Matongo died at the scene.

Video footage circulating on social media shows Matongo calmly speaking to Pienaar, who was leaning against a truck with the firearm pointed at his head. He can be heard telling Pienaar to put the gun down, assuring him that it was not the end. 

However, a second clip shows Matongo lying motionless on the ground.

Following the shooting, Pienaar fled to Narraville, where he allegedly robbed a taxi driver of his vehicle and drove off to Swakopmund. The taxi was later found abandoned in Mondesa around 01h00 on Thursday.

“At about 02h40, the suspect was intercepted at Truck Port in Swakopmund, where he was allegedly trying to board public transport. When officers attempted to arrest him, he immediately drew his pistol. 

A scuffle ensued and several shots went off. In the process, the suspect was seriously wounded,” Kupembona said.

Pienaar was taken to the Swakopmund State Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

Two pistols were confiscated at the scene.

Kupembona said Matongo’s death is a painful loss not only for the police force but also for the Walvis Bay community. 

“He was young, polite, and committed to his work. He always believed in resolving conflict through dialogue instead of violence. 

Losing him in this manner is very painful. Sergeant Matongo died a hero,” he said.