Police intensify hunt for Okahandja butchers

Police intensify hunt for Okahandja butchers

The Namibian Police Force has intensified its manhunt for suspects linked to the horrific murders of three Okahandja girls – Ingrid Maasdorp (5), Roswinds Fabianu (6) and Beyonce !Kharuxas (15). 

The killings, which sent shockwaves through the nation, have sparked outrage and prompted increased police visibility and investigations across the town. NamPol Deputy Inspector General Elias Mutota yesterday told New Era law-enforcement agents are  fully-engaged in pursuing justice.

“The police are aggressively involved in investigations that would lead to the arrests of the suspects. However, we need public assistance and collective efforts to get information that would lead to the suspects’ arrests,” he said.

So far, 11 people of interest have been questioned, DNA samples collected and part of the results returned negative.

“Out of the 11 DNA samples collected from people who were questioned, seven have tested negative, while four are still outstanding. No new persons of interest have been questioned thereafter,” he added. Mutota indicated that although a reward of N$50 000 is being offered to members of the public who provide authentic information leading to arrests, police are in talks to increase that amount. However, the new reward figure has not yet been finalised. 

Ingrid was raped and murdered on 20 March. A week later, Roswinds’ body was discovered behind a graveyard at Veddersdal after she had been reported missing. !Kharuxas’ body was found a few days later, adding to the growing shock.

Both Maasdorp and Fabianu were pupils at KW von Marees Combined School, and their bodies were found near the school grounds.

Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said, !Kharuxas had reportedly gone out with friends to a bar when two men allegedly offered to buy them drinks.

 She was found dead and allegedly raped in the Five Rand location the following day, fuelling widespread anger and fear.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last month visited the bereaved families at the Nau-Aib location. She was joined by senior government officials, including prime minister Elijah Ngurare and deputy ministers of justice, gender equality education and health. “Our presence here is to give you comfort, but more importantly, the Almighty is the One who knows what happens next,” Nandi-Ndaitwah told the grieving families.

-ljsaon@nepc.com.na