Iuze Mukube
During a trial, the public’s focus is mostly on the nature of the offence, the perpetrator, the victim and, at the end of the day, the outcome of the case.
What is often overlooked is the emotional pain and lasting trauma left behind in the wake of the crime, which is ultimately deeply felt by the victims and their families.
The paper engaged family members living with the aftermath of such loss, providing an insight into the realities that linger beyond the courtroom.
“It has been over a year since his murder, yet our grief remains as deep as ever,” said Jan Simasiku.
He is the brother of the deceased Nico Sisamu Simasiku (32), who, prior to his death, was assaulted at a state hospital in Katima Mulilo last year.
He described the deceased as a dedicated and hard-working student, who had obtained tertiary education with a future full of promise ahead of him.
He stated that his late brother left behind a minor son, who is now under the care of the family.
Simasiku said the tragedy has placed a heavy emotional and financial burden on the family, as they now strive to support and provide for the child.
“His passing is not only a personal loss, but a loss of life filled with purpose and potential,” he said.
A year later, he added, the family is still waiting for justice.
What has made this even more difficult is seeing the suspect released on bail without a notice or a consultation with their family.
“This has left us feeling overlooked and unheard within a system that should also consider the voices and well-being of victims’ families,” he said.
No support
He added that, while the accused remains out on bail, the family has neither received sympathy nor support from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
“We have also not been given any sense of closure. It is deeply painful to accept that he was murdered in a place where he should have been safe, a hospital, by someone entrusted with responsibility,” he said.
He questioned how something like that can happen at a hospital and how a family is expected to heal without accountability.
Simasiku indicated that the family has the intention of taking legal action against the ministry of health.
He added that the public deserves to be aware of cases like this, not only for transparency but also to encourage dialogue around how justice is administered and how families of victims are treated during the process.
“No family should feel excluded or left in the dark while seeking justice for their loved one,” he said.
Simasiku added that, by sharing their story, he hopes to shed light on the ongoing pain families face, advocate for better communication and support from authorities, and ensure that victims are not forgotten with time.
“Grief does not fade with time. It does not end after a year or even years. It becomes something you carry for the rest of your life,” he said.
He added: “It is deeply lonely, and waking up each day and choosing to go on without him is a struggle we continue to face”.
Speaking also on behalf of the family, he stated that their motive for bringing the story to the public “is not only to honour the life of our beloved brother, Nico Simasiku, but also to raise awareness about the emotional and psychological impact that families of victims continue to endure long after such tragic events”.
Court documents indicate that the accused, Hendricks Matengu Kabwina (48), was arrested last February and arraigned on one count of murder in Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that, on 28 January 2025, in the district of Katima Mulilo, the accused unlawfully and intentionally killed Nico Sisamu Simasiku.
The family was informed that the death of their loved one occurred at a hospital, where the deceased was allegedly assaulted by security guards when he went there with complaints of a headache.
Kabwina, who is allegedly a mortuary attendant, instructed the guards to handcuff the deceased whilst he was being assaulted.
However, Simasiku does not know why his brother was assaulted.
Kabwina was released on bail on 3 March 2025 when the State granted bail in the amount of N$6 000.
Conditions were attached that he must not make direct or indirect contact with State witnesses, and must not leave the district of Katima Mulilo without informing the investigating officer from the Serious Crime Unit.