SWAKOPMUND – Blood-stained clothes hidden inside a water tanker led a team of police investigators to the man suspected of killing 43-year-old Imolatria Dominika Gaoses in Usakos on Friday.
The 39-year-old man, who grew up in the same residential area as the deceased, was arrested on Friday afternoon after the clothes he was wearing earlier during the day was identified by multiple residents who saw the deceased in his company.
The suspect, according to community members of Uis, was recently released on parole after serving some time for rape and robbery. Senior Inspector Judith Shomongula on Friday indicated that the suspect will appear today in the Usakos Magistrate’s Court.
Gaoses’ body was discovered by a passer-by in a riverbed between Usakos town and the council building. She was found half-naked with visible injuries to her head. Her family later arrived at the scene and identified her.
A large stone found next to her body is believed to have been used to strike her repeatedly.
Police sources told New Era yesterday that the suspect was one of three men that were seen earlier with the deceased.
“The suspect was seen earlier wearing the bloodstain clothes and based on their discovery multiple witnesses positively identified the suspect,” a police source told New Era.
Community activist Valencia Nghmonno yesterday said that the murder is deeply unsettling as the two knew each other from childhood.
“Even on the day of the murder they were seen in each other’s company. Both lived in Bô-dorp and were well known in the area. What is more hurtful is that our children are turning on each other this way,” said Nghmonno.
She added that residents are planning to march today to hand over a petition demanding stricter action against violent offenders.
“The fact that our own children are doing this to each other is heartbreaking,” she said.
She then described that deceased as a very helpful young woman who was the righthand of her mother.
“She did everything for her mother and it is sad to see her mother losing a second child,
According to the activist, an elder brother of the deceased was also brutally murdered a few years ago.
Usakos mayor Irene Simeon-Kurz yesterday also expressed deep concern, saying the community is traumatised by the brutality of the killing.
“The murder was cruel, barbaric and heinous. Usakos used to be a model town of peace, love and care, where the community lived in harmony. Now we are deeply shaken by the unimaginable crimes happening in our society,” said Simeon-Kurz.
According to her the murder has left them with a lot of questions
“We are left with a lot of questions, adding that it is not fair to lose a human life through human hands and deeds. May our good Lord give her mother the much-needed strength, comfort, courage and wisdom, during this very difficult and dark period,” she said.
-edeklerk@nepc.com.na