Aletta Shikololo
The families of three people who tragically lost their lives in a motor vehicle accident with police chief Joseph Shikongo are speaking out against what they believe to be a failure by the authorities to provide them with the closure they need.
The accident, marred with controversy, occurred in December last year – and since then, the families claim, they have received little information about the investigations into the incident. Despite their efforts to get answers, they feel they are being kept in the dark and are now demanding accountability for the loss of their loved ones.
However, the police said Shikongo’s stint in hospital delayed investigations. “Why has this case been ongoing for so long? Despite efforts to get answers from the police, they keep assuring us that they will get back to us. We are seeking answers about what happened that fateful night, what caused the accident, and why the matter has not been resolved yet?” questioned Toivo Lukas, the father of one of the victims, Stephanus Lukas.
Following the accident, there was a public uproar after Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters’ (NEFF) member Michael Amushelelo called for Shikongo’s resignation and arrest. In response, Shikongo filed a lawsuit against Amushelelo, seeking N$1 million in compensation for “defamatory statements”.
Additionally, the families of the victims are also preparing to file a lawsuit against Shikongo through their legal representative, Kadhila Amoomo. It was reported that Shikongo, who was driving his private vehicle, collided with a sedan, leading to the deaths of Sofia Natangwe Ananias (22), Frans Pombili Ndengu (27) and Stefanus Hafeni Lukas (22). A case of culpable homicide/reckless and/or negligent driving was immediately opened on the day of the incident.
During a conference call with New Era, representatives from the three families alleged that the police are attempting to play a game of hide and seek with them.
“After seeking answers from the spokesperson, Kauna Shikwambi, about the progress of the investigation, she referred us to Oshana police commissioner Naftal Sakaria. However, when we tried to contact Naftal, he repeatedly promised to get back to us, but he failed to do so. We are seeking information about the whereabouts of the docket, and we are uncertain if a docket even exists,” bemoaned another family member, Esther Ndengu. Ndengu further accused the police of dragging their feet on the matter.
“We suspect that either the case is not being taken seriously or it is intentionally being delayed, as it has now been five months. Cases of culpable homicide typically do not take this long to reach a conclusion, so why is this one any different?” she questioned. The team delegated to investigate the matter comprised the head of forensics Nelius Becker, the crime investigations coordinator of the Oshana region, Teofelus Kamati, and Erongo commander, Nikolaus Kupembona, who spearheaded the investigations.
In an interview with New Era last month, deputy inspector general Elias Mutota said, “Most of the information was obtained and evidence was collected. We just have to do the final compilation of the docket before handing it to the Prosecutor General for decision”.
The docket was scheduled to be handed over to the prosecutor general, Martha Imalwa, between mid-March until end of March. However, as of now, this has yet to be completed. In follow-up questions to Mutota, he said, “Just after we spoke, a few days later, IG was admitted to ICU – and that delayed the final version of the investigation”.
Shikongo was admitted to Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek on 7 March 2023.
“He is only starting work today (yesterday), so we will resume with the final details; we are doing rearrangements to go to the north, where the accident happened, and we will complete the investigation. So, that has been the only delay; otherwise, it would already have been complete,” Mutota explained.
- ashikololo@nepc.com.na