ONGWEDIVA – Police in Oshana Region are hot on the trail of 10 prisoners – including the suspected killer of Mirjam Nandjato – who escaped from the Oshakati police cells on Tuesday night.
Originally 12 escaped but one was arrested and another surrendered.
The 18-year-old Willem Victor Kapanga was arrested on Wednesday morning.
Kapanga was in custody for assault through threatening, malicious damage to property and crimen injuria.
Another of the group, 18-year-old Fanuel Primus Simeon surrendered to the police shortly after the escape.
Simeon was arrested for housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
The Police Regional Commander in Oshana Region Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa described the incident as unfortunate and that the police would learn from it.
“It is very bad, ugly, but is a lesson to be learnt,” said Kashihakumwa.
Among the escapees is 24-year-old Ananias Nekongo Nailenge.
Nailenge is accused of decapitating his girlfriend Mirjam Tuyakula Nandjato in a flat she had rented for him.
Nailenge had earlier this year pleaded guilty to the charge, but contended that his actions were not intentional.
It is now alleged that Nailenge was seen at his grandmother’s homestead in Epoko village on Wednesday evening.
His grandmother allegedly phoned the police in Outapi to enquire whether Nailenge was released or not.
Other escapees include 24-year-old Benjamin Mbudje, well known as Shituku. He was arrested on three counts of theft, armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm, among other charges.
Also missing is Ipeka Matheus Reinhold, 23, well known as Mbuu, who was initially arrested for housebreaking and murder.
The other escapees are Josef Iita, 43, arrested for housebreaking, Ndaendaongula Mungula, 23, arrested for robbery with aggravating circumstances, Angolan national
Titus Ndeba Fernandu, arrested for housebreaking with intent to steal and crimen injuria, 18-year-old Simon Junias arrested for theft, 20-year-old Lineekela Isaskar
Isaskar arrested for theft, 21-year-old Michael Hango Mbwale arrested for housebreaking and theft, and 21-year-old Absalom Angala arrested for housebreaking with intent to steal.
It is alleged that the group escaped through the western side windows of the prison cells which they allegedly cut open over three to four days.
Although there were no instruments found at the scene the police commissioner says it is suspected the escapees used a sharp object.
“It is just unusual, usually they would cut the roof, but the level of the windows is just too high. They must have been very strategic,” related Kashihakumwa.
Although the police conduct regular patrols in and around the cells, the situation came as a surprise to the police who had not suspected any strange behaviour during the patrols the past few days.
Police therefore suspect that the inmates had hung their clothes by the windows to cover up their plan to escape.
The Oshana regional commander is optimistic that the police will arrest them all and ensure that in future such incidences are prevented.
“We will correct where we have made a mistake,” said Kashihakumwa.
The police cells in Oshakati were renovated two years back. Meanwhile, a criminal case of escaping from lawful custody was opened against the 12 escapees at the Oshakati Police Station.
By Nuusita Ashipala