WALVIS BAY – The family of Sergeant Eustance Simasiku Matongo, who was killed last Wednesday, says they are lost without him. 

For them, his role extended far beyond that of a provider. They described him as their shield, guide, and father figure, filling the void left by the deaths of their parents.

New Era visited the family on Sunday, where, despite their immense grief, they were busy preparing for a decent and proper send-off for him.

Matongo served in the Namibian Police Force for 11 years until his life was tragically cut short by a robbery suspect, Jacques Pienaar, who had attempted to take his own life in Walvis Bay. Video footage shows Matongo trying to persuade Pienaar against suicide before the suspect suddenly turned his gun on Matongo, killing him instantly.

“He was a people’s person, and serving in the police was not just a job for him, but a calling deeply rooted in his family’s history of service and sacrifice. His father was a freedom fighter, as was his uncle, and that is one of the reasons serving and protecting came naturally to him,” said his relative, Bevan Malumbwa.

Born in exile in Angola, Matongo (36), carried the legacy of his father and uncle, the late liberation hero Greenwell Matongo, both of whom dedicated their lives to Namibia’s freedom struggle.

Malumbwa said Matongo responded to emergencies like any other day. “There was nothing out of the ordinary. You could not have guessed that within an hour, tragedy would strike. He was always smiling.”

After the passing of their parents, Matongo became the family’s breadwinner, taking care of his siblings and two children. He ensured they had their needs, often doing so without expecting anything in return. “His death has left a gap no one can ever fill. His loss is even harder for his siblings to comprehend, as they all looked up to him. We are deeply saddened by the way he died, but we take solace in the legacy he left,” Malumbwa added.

Affectionately known as CK in Walvis Bay, Matongo was loved by both his community and colleagues. “Everyone knew him. That’s how connected he was with the community. His death has left a huge gap, not only in our family but in the community as well,” Malumbwa said.

Colleagues remembered him as a peaceful man and a people’s person who preferred dialogue over confrontation. “He was dedicated to his work and carried himself with humility and respect,” said Erongo regional police commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona.

A memorial service to honour Matongo is set to take place today in Walvis Bay, with his burial scheduled in Katima Mulilo.

edeklerk@nepc.com.na