SWAKOPMUND – A 39-year- old Swakopmund resident, Enwee van Blerk, who was arrested for the illegal possession of explosives was granted bail of N$20 000 in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
This follows an incident on Saturday in which a massive explosion involving an M59 rifle-mortar occurred at his residence in Monotokastraat 2, Vineta critically wounding a 23-year-old woman, Chantelle Goases. Sources informed New Era yesterday that Goases and her family are still traumatised by the event as the young woman faces a double amputation of her legs.
The Namibian Police chief in the Erongo Region, Commissioner Samuel //Hoebeb on Sunday told New Era that Goases, who is a tertiary student in Windhoek, was on holiday in Swakopmund and was asked by her mother, a domestic worker of Van Blerk, to assist her with her duties on that fateful day. “The two women were busy cleaning the garage at the Van Blerk house not knowing that one of the boxes contained an assault rifle mortar. We believe that the young woman must have touched the mortar or unknowingly knocked it against a wall, causing the mortar to explode,” //Hoebeb explained.
//Hoebeb further said the impact of the explosion was massive and that it is a miracle the young lady did not lose her life and he further said this is such a tragic event considering the fact that the victim is a young person, who still has her whole life ahead of her.
According to the commissioner the origin of the assault rifle mortar is not yet known and police are investigating the matter. From what we have gathered from the suspect is that he bought the grenade from a woman living in Walvis Bay, //Hoebeb told New Era on Sunday. “We are still investigating the matter. It is in fact a criminal offence to have ammunition in your possession without declaring it to Nampol,” he said. Van Blerk was granted bail of N$20 000 and his case was remanded to July 01 for further investigation. Van Blerk is said to be a manager at a drilling company based in Walvis Bay. New Era was also told that at least two other explosive materials were discovered at his residence on Saturday.
By Eveline de Klerk