Two Namibia Defence Force (NDF) members died on Monday night after a shooting incident in Windhoek West that also left another man injured. The shooting is believed to have been driven by a domestic dispute.
In a brief police report, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed yesterday that Abner Shilemba (33), an NDF member stationed at the Namibia Defence Force Training Establishment (NDFTE) in Okahandja, allegedly shot and killed his former girlfriend, Justine Metumo Nelenge (34), on Pasteur Street before turning the gun on himself.
Shikwambi indicated that a 54-year-old man who had dropped Nelenge at home shortly before the shooting was also shot in the arm. The police said the incident occurred around 21h00 in Windhoek. “It is alleged that a Namibian male shot another Namibian male, causing him injuries. The assailant then allegedly turned the pistol to his ‘girlfriend’, shot her multiple times, and thereafter shot himself. They were both rushed to Katutura State Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries,” the police statement read.
Family members told New Era that Shilemba and Nelenge had been in a relationship since late 2019. The relationship had been turbulent, with periods of separation, the most recent breakup occurred earlier this year. According to the family, Justine had again ended the relationship on the very morning of the incident.
NDF loss
NDF spokesperson Colonel Petrus Shilumbu said the Defence Force is shocked by the deaths of two young members of the force.
He emphasised that the defence force did not expect such behaviour from its members, especially given their specialised training.
“The defence force has lost two members in an unexpected manner. This is a loss to the NDF and to the country as a whole. These were young, talented Namibians,” he said.
He added that, although soldiers receive training in emotional control and firearm handling, they remain human beings capable of personal struggles.
“Members of the Defence Force undergo various trainings that civilians do not undertake. They are expected to handle emotions and firearms responsibly. But anger can lead to wrong decisions if one does not control their emotions,” he said.
Shilumbu also highlighted that the NDF has ongoing programmes aimed at helping members manage relationship challenges and prevent violence. However, he said not all soldiers attend these sessions because of deployments, leave or duty demands.
“Even if we conduct workshops, sometimes partners do not attend or one of them misses the opportunity to receive guidance. Then things go wrong when anger takes over,” he said.
He urged young people, including soldiers, to walk away from unhealthy relationships. He said that “If things don’t work, you can find a better partner. No one has the authority to take another person’s life.”
GBV
He said the incident reflects the broader rise in gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, which the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is actively working to address.
Shilumbu said the ministry is in the process of launching the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from 25 November to 10 December 2025.
Shilumbu stresses that GBV disrupts peace, destroys families, and undermines productivity; hence, NDF members will participate in efforts to end violence against women and girls. This year’s theme is “UNITE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
The ministry notes that it continues to invest in prevention and regularly conducts workshops across NDF establishments, although attendance can be affected by deployments and leave schedules.
Shilumbu said such programmes aim to help soldiers manage relationship challenges, but cannot reach everyone at all times.
“Sometimes one partner or both do not attend. When anger takes over, a person may take a wrong decision, and lives are lost,” he said.
He urged the public and soldiers to leave toxic relationships rather than resort to violence.
New Era visits
Yesterday, New Era visited the Nelenge family home in Windhoek to speak to relatives. The grieving younger sister of the deceased, Anna Nelenge shared her account.
Anna quietly recounted the final hours before her sister’s death, saying the trouble started early that morning when Justine told her she would not go to work because her ex-boyfriend, had unexpectedly arrived at 05h10 to drop off her work uniform.
The two had been in an on-and-off relationship since 2019, but had separated again earlier this year. Justine told her family she no longer felt safe with him.
Anna said she was at home when she heard multiple gunshots outside shortly after 20h30.
“I jumped out of bed because it was very close. When I opened the sliding door, I could smell the gunpowder. That’s when I knew something serious had happened,” she said. Moments later, she found her sister lying near the gate with multiple gunshot wounds.
“She had eight gunshot wounds. At the hospital, they told us she went into cardiac arrest three times before she passed on,” she said.
Rememberance
Anna described Justine as quiet, loving and deeply devoted to her parents.
She added that her sister was a gentle soul whose quiet nature often made people think she preferred to be alone, when in truth she carried a soft, loving warmth.
She was deeply introverted, calm and non-confrontational, the type who avoided arguments and chose silence over conflict.
“She liked being on her own,” Anna said, explaining how Justine often isolated herself not out of coldness, but out of peace.
Despite this quiet exterior, she connected deeply with those close to her and enjoyed simple routines, especially cooking, which she loved.
Within the family, Justine was known as the dependable one, helpful, thoughtful and always ready to support her parents.
Anna described her as “a lovely being,” someone who did the most for the household without drawing attention to herself. While Anna saw herself as the outgoing, talkative sibling, she remembered her sister as steady, private and caring, a young woman who lived gently but loved deeply.
“She was a lovely person,” Anna said, before the interview was abruptly stopped by a family member. -ljason@nepc.com.na