A 31-year-old woman from Oshitenda informal settlement in Windhoek fears for her life after a police officer, accused of assaulting and chopping her with a panga, was granted bail shortly after the incident. 

Seargent Lukas Mupupa Angula, deployed at the VIP Protection Unit, reportedly assaulted and injured a woman by chopping her hand with a panga, at the Malala betting shop in Oshitenda Street over the weekend.

He was granted bail on Monday.

Elly Mwandingi (complainant), narrated that Angula, who stays in a flat next to the bar she is working at, has come to the bar under the influence of alcohol and started insulting her. 

She added that Angula continued swearing at her and insulting her mother before he stood up to slap her.

“He stood up and attempt to slap me. I escaped and I picked up a stone to scare him and stop him from slapping me for no reason. He then went to his room. I thought he went to sleep as he was exhausted. I just saw him returning with a panga. I was so relaxed because I know I did nothing wrong. I just saw him cutting me. He chopped me on my hand leaving me with a deep cut. I ran away and he chased me so hard until I was locked in another house by an onlooker,” she narrated.

She further indicated that Angula stood outside the house for about 30 minutes and only went back to his room when the police arrived. 

“On Monday when I saw him here walking freely just three days after the incident, I was so frightened. I felt the police did not do justice to allow the suspect to walk freely before my deep cut is healed. 

We are staying at the same place and using the same facilities as he is renting here. The panga is not confiscated. He is still in possession of it. My life is at stake here. I don’t feel safe and I need my job. I cannot resign. They could have released him on condition that he stays far from where I live. That is what I told a police officer who came to record my statement,” she explained.

Acting regional commander James Nandapo said the officer will resume work pending investigations. 

He will also face disciplinary actions through internal investigation, although he acted wrongly while off duty.

Angula has been charged with assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). 

He made his first appearance at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court on Monday after he spent the weekend behind bars as he was arrested immediately after the incident.  

The matter is remanded to 14 March 2023 for further police investigations.