Katima Mulilo
An audio recording believed to be that of a notorious fugitive, 27-year-old Nine Masule, who has been on the run for several months, despite a N$10 000 reward on offer for any information that could lead to his capture, is in circulation in the Zambezi Region where residents are living in fear of the ruthless villain.
In an audio, which is believed to have been recorded recently, Masule could be heard issuing threats to anyone who has plans to report him to the police to reconsider selling him out, saying this could cost the informer’s life.
“I am Nine. I would like to tell all people who have plans to report me that the N$10 000 reward will cost you your life. I would also like to warn police officers who are not ready, do not come looking for me as I will kill all of you,” he threatened police officers in the audio that has gone viral in Zambezi.
Masule also brags he is aware of every move the police are making to try and capture him.
“I am aware that you are trying by all means to find me by posting my photos everywhere. It won’t help anything. I heard you were at Mafuta looking for me, I am not there I am in town, I live among you,” the audio further says.
Contacted for comment the police spokesperson Kisco Sitali claimed the audio could be a fabrication of those trying to portray police officers as incapable of arresting the notorious fugitive.
“We have listened to the audio with police officers who know his voice and I can say I am 90 percent sure it is not his voice; it is just people who are trying to disturb peace in this region to show that the police are not doing enough to arrest him,” further claimed Sitali.
Sitali also pointed out that there are people out there who are benefiting from the name of the fugitive by using it to commit crimes. He however stated that some of them have been arrested after being positively identified by the victims.
He warned that those who try to mock the police will be brought to book.
Masule is the most wanted man in the Zambezi Region and he escaped from police custody twice. His last escape was in October last year and he has been on the loose since then. It is believed that he slipped out of the custody of police officers after coming from court proceedings.
He stands accused of two murders, two rapes and three house-breaking cases, and is said to be in possession of an AK-47.
Although the police have offered a N$10 000 reward to anyone who may provide reliable information which may lead to his arrest, no one has thus far come forward with information.
Others have claimed to know his whereabouts but they say the reward is not enough for them to risk their lives. Sitali however states that it is in the residents’ best interest if the fugitive is arrested.
“Those are the sentiments of the public that the N$10 000 is not enough, but we consider the security of the public. Apart from the benefit of the N$10 000, they have other benefits to live in peace if this man is taken down – we value the security much more than the amount that is being offered,” stressed Sitali.
Currently many residents live in fear and some of them have voiced their lack of trust in the authorities in the region.
The fact that the fugitive has escaped twice from police custody is a sign that he has connections inside the police, some say.
Sitali reiterated that the public should not be afraid to provide the necessary information that will lead to an arrest as their identity will be protected.
“The information received will be treated as confidential between the reporter and the receiver. The name of the informant will not be discussed at any platform – what we need is just the information.”