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Shikongo collision leaves families floundering 

2023-03-24  Aletta Shikololo

Shikongo collision leaves families floundering 

The siblings of Frans Pombili Ndengu, one of the three victims who died in a tragic collision involving Namibian Police chief Joseph Shikongo in December, are completely despondent.

They said they are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved one, while also facing mounting financial difficulties as he was their sole breadwinner.

In an interview with New Era, Ndengu’s siblings said the vehicle he was driving that fateful day was used as a family driving school business car, and they all depended on it for survival.

He also owned a restaurant and a fish shop, which they said generated money which paid for three of his siblings to attend school.

The distraught siblings said the death of Frans has abruptly halted their studies, and they are now unable to afford school fees.

“We all depended on our brother. Without that income, we are now unable to afford school fees and we are left to fend for ourselves,” lamented Ester Ndengu.

After their brother’s demise, Ester and Sakaria had to pause their studies at the Atlantic Training Institution and Welwitchia Health Training Institute, respectively.

Simsolia Ndengu, who is 18 years old and a learner at the Tsumeb Secondary School, was likewise reliant on her brother Frans to pay her rent. She was scheduled to pursue her Advance Subsidiary (AS) studies, but due to her brother’s untimely demise, there is no one to support her financially. This has resulted in her being at home with no means of continuing her education.

“This tragic accident has left us broken and hopeless. We feel like there is nothing being done because so many things are  just not adding up,” Ester added.

The family is facing an additional challenge as they revealed that the inquiry into the collision is taking an extended period, leaving them with no resolution or closure.

“We feel like there is no urgency in the matter, and we just want closure,” said another sibling, Fillemon Ndengu.

A case of culpable homicide or reckless and/or negligent driving was immediately opened on the day of the incident against the top cop. Shikongo, who was hospitalised after the accident, has not appeared in court yet.

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 regional commander Nikolaus Kupembona, who spearheaded the investigations.

In a previous interview, police deputy inspector general responsible for operations Elias Mutota said the investigations are almost complete, and the docket will be presented to the prosecutor general (PG) for a decision in mid-March or the end of March.

“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 PG for a decision,” he said.

This publication could not get comment from the PG, as her number was unreachable before going to print.

Meanwhile, calls for Shikongo to be criminally charged have grown louder after the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters’ (NEFF) Michael Amushelelo called for the officer to resign and be arrested.

Shikongo subsequently filed a lawsuit against him (Amushelelo), demanding compensation of N$1 million for alleged defamatory statements.

Shikongo’s lawyer Nambili Mhata yesterday only said “the matter is in court, and I am not at liberty to talk about it at this moment.”

The families of the three victims in the December accident have also sought legal consultations with lawyer Kadhila Amoomo for Shikongo to be criminally charged.

Approached for comment, Amoomo said they are still finalising the papers and obtaining full instructions from their clients.

“This case is likely to be filed in the High Court mid-April,” he added.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na


2023-03-24  Aletta Shikololo

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