By William Mbangula
Oshakati
A prominent businessman accused of brutally attacking a teacher for a suspected adulterous affair with his wife has denied any wrongdoing.
The man in the spotlight, John Kambwela, has dismissed media reports about him as lies and fabrications intended to defame him and assassinate his character as a successful businessman.
Kambwela, of Uukwaluudhi district in Omusati Region, has a business empire that stretches from Ruacana to Oshakati, mostly involving welding and engineering services.
He is accused of manhandling the Head of Mathematics and Science Department at Oshakati Combined School, Lucas Angula, 31, on September 4.
He allegedly attacked Angula when he came to Kambwela business premises at Oshakati to repair his car. It is alleged Angula was punched with fists, slapped and repeatedly beaten with an iron bar.
Said Kambwela: “The truth is that while I was verifying a number of my cheques that have been paid to creditors, I came across one of them no. 0151 dated 28 March 2007 used by Angula to purchase items at Game Store. I was surprised because Angula is neither my employee nor my creditor. Just when I was investigating how Angula ended up using my cheque, luckily, he came to one of my business premises at Oneshila to have his car fixed.
“I decided to use the opportunity to seek clarification from him. Although I kindly asked him to have a discussion with me, he did not respond. I then sent one of my employees to tell him to see me after he completed his business but he refused. He only came after I had sent another employee for the second time.”
He said Angula eventually came but refused to answer when quizzed about the cheque.
“He stepped forward, telling me to step aside so that he could leave. He suddenly became extremely agitated and pushed me. I let him go and when he was walking away, he grabbed a chair and threw it at me. Fortunately, it hit the door. I then followed him outside and when he reached his car, he took a firearm from behind his car seat. The claim that his firearm fell from his pocket is devoid of any truth. Angula then pointed a firearm at me. When I realised that I was in danger, I firstly took cover until I came close to him and then grabbed him to disarm him.”
Angula denied Kambwela’s version of the story. He told New Era that Kambwela started attacking him out of the blue and for reasons not yet known to him.
He said he has known Kambwela, 45, for six years and they have been friends all along although Kambwela is 14 years his senior. He said he was surprised that instead of Kambwela asking him first about his concerns or reporting the matter to the police, he decided to take the law into his own hands by attacking and abusing him in public.
Angula explained that he was authorised by Kambwela’s wife Julia, 46, to buy items for her at Game Shopping Centre. These items included a memory stick, frames and other items that cost N$595,85.
Angula said: “The issue of the cheque is just an after-thought because he could not find a reasonable excuse to defend his wrongdoings.
“The main reason for attacking me was that he suspects that I am sleeping with his wife. This is so because the first question he asked me is why his wife is always calling me. He wanted to know why I am sleeping with her and she is always calling me. What is the content of our conversation?
“I cannot deny that she has been calling me several times but it is not over love matters but is because she needed assistance with her computer which was recently equipped with Internet facilities. After all, I have known her for quite a long time and maybe she thought of using my free service instead of paying computer experts. There is no way I can have an affair with a woman who is 15 years my senior.”
Angula confirmed that Kambwela attacked him with fists and an iron bar, which was secured in advance inside the building.
To Angula, this shows that Kambwela’s action was a pre-meditated brutal assault.
Both Kambwela and Angula have opened criminal cases against each other.
New Era could not confirm the incident.
One manager at Game Centre Tjahimisa Kandirikirira however, confirmed that before Angula bought the items on March 31, the information was double checked with the owner of the cheque, Julia Kambwela.
Kambwela’s wife could not be reached for comment until the time of going to press.