ONGWEDIVA - Two men were arrested by the Omusati police in connection with a case of theft after a 61-year-old widow was robbed of her late husband’s properties worth N$748 300.

The two brothers were arrested last week after the widow Albertina Amukwelele opened a case against them. Alfeus Negumbo Shilongo, (64) and Wilhelm Shikalepo (31) were denied bail when they appeared in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court last week Monday.

Their case has been postponed to 11 June 2023 for further police investigations. One female suspect Saara Iita, who is a sister Nandiinotya is at large but believed to be in Okahandja.

The stolen properties include cars, cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys, and other items that have not been recovered yet. According to Omusati police chief Ismael Basson, the incident happened between last year March and 18 September, at the late Abel Nandiinotya’s homestead who died last September at the Oshihau village in the Onesi constituency.

It is alleged that the suspects took the properties without the consent of the widow, who is appointed as an executor of her late husband’s will.

Speaking to New Era, the widow confirmed she was left with nothing after her late husband’s family took all the properties, including cars and a homestead. Amukwelele added that she is now battling with high blood pressure which is caused by this devastating situation she is going through.

“They locked the homestead. They did not want us to enter. They told us that the homestead will be given to one of their nephews,” she narrated. Amukwelele said they built their house where she is currently residing with her children and grandchildren.

She described that it is not easy being a widow nowadays and that it is painful, especially when it comes to inheritance. “Widows are voiceless. We are suffering and abused by our in-laws,” she lamented.

Their daughter, Niita Nandiinotya said they fell into dire poverty after her father’s death. She stressed that it was unfair for their paternal relatives to inherit all her father’s properties.

 “Now, I am just in the streets suffering. If my father was alive, I would have completed my studies,” said the 24-year-old.

Also speaking to New Era, Iita claims Amukwelele and their children were chased from the homestead by her late brother last March. “My brother put on a protection order against his wife and his children, however, they did not divorce,” she said.

She added that when her brother died, Amukwelele and the children were not staying in the same house because they were chased out.

“Amukwelele is lying. We did not inherit the properties. All properties are still at my brother’s homestead,” she claimed. Iita also added that the police were not doing justice when they arrested her two brothers in connection with this case.

-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na