RUNDU – The weekend was marked by a violent home invasion, a brazen smuggling attempt at a police station, and two tragic deaths that have left local communities in mourning in the two Kavango regions.
Residents of Hilka Park in Rundu were shaken awake in the early hours of Sunday, when a gang of three armed men stormed a private residence. It is alleged that at approximately 02h00, the suspects used a screwdriver to force open the door before seizing the house keys.
“During the confrontation, one of the intruders opened fire, hitting the homeowner. In a chaotic turn of events, it is further alleged that one of the suspects also sustained injuries during the scuffle.
While the injured suspect is currently under police guard at a local hospital, no formal arrests have been made as of yet as police investigations into the attempted murder case continue,’’ read the weekend crime report signed off by the Namibian Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi.
In a different incident, a suspect was apprehended on Saturday at the Rundu Police station charge office. Officers intercepted an attempt to smuggle a mobile phone, Yes brand cigarettes and several bankies of cannabis to trial-awaiting inmates.
(As defined by Urban Dictionary, a bankie is the amount of weed that will fit in a bank coin bag). The suspect remains in custody as investigators determine the street value of the seized illicit goods before he will be charged to make a court appearance.
Meanwhile, in the Kavango West region, a 22-year-old Namibian male was arrested at Karanawa village on Friday morning. Following a targeted search at 06h30, the youth was found to be in possession of several bankies of skunk cannabis. He is expected to appear in the Kahenge periodic court this week.
The weekend was also marred by two inquest dockets. At Vhungu village in the Kavango East, on Friday, the community was struck by grief after 62-year-old Anna Maria Kanzara drowned. The pensioner had reportedly gone fishing at the river but failed to return. Her body was later recovered at the riverside.
In a separate incident at Nkurenkuru, Kavango West, the search for 30-year-old Olavi Dcakawo ended on Saturday morning. Dcakawo’s body, who had been missing since 2 February 2026, was discovered by family members.
“The next of kin for both deceased individuals have been notified, and forensic investigations are underway to determine the exact causes of death in both cases,’’ Shikwambi said.
Photo: Heather Erdmann