Despite assurances from the police regarding the completion and submission of the investigation report into the accident involving police chief Joseph Shikongo, the docket is yet to reach the prosecutor general's office. 

Nearly three months have passed since the police told the media that the impeding investigation into the accident, where three lives were tragically lost in December, is almost complete.

In early March, deputy inspector general Elias Mutota, who was initially responsible for setting up an investigation team, said, “the investigations are almost complete and the docket will be presented to the prosecutor general for a decision, in mid-March or 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 decision,” he told New Era in March.

In April, Mutota said Shikongo’s stint in hospital delayed the final version of investigations.

Shikongo was admitted to the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek on 7 March 2023.

He resumed work on 24 April.

“So, we will resume with the final details; we are doing rearrangements to go to the north, where the accident happened, and we will complete the investigation. That has been the only delay; otherwise, it would have already been complete,” Mutota explained in April.

 Mutota yesterday maintained the investigation team is still compiling the report.

“We promise that by the end of June, the docket will be on PG’s desk,” he said.

The incident, marred by controversy, took place in December last year.

Since then, the families of the victim say they have been provided with scant information regarding the ongoing investigations surrounding the occurrence. 

“We are left in the dark. Despite several times that we keep requesting for information into this case, they (police) refer us to different people. 

"We feel there is no transparency, and we desperately need closure for our loved ones,” bemoaned a family member to one of the victims, Esther Ndengu. 

Additionally, the families of the victims are also preparing to file a lawsuit against Shikongo through their legal representative Kadhila Amoomo. 

It was reported that Shikongo, who was driving his private vehicle, collided with a sedan, leading to the deaths of Sofia Natangwe Ananias (22), Frans Pombili Ndengu (27) and Stefanus Hafeni Lukas (22).

 A case of culpable homicide/reckless and/or negligent driving was immediately opened on the day of the incident.

The team delegated to investigate the matter comprised head of forensics Nelius Becker, crime investigations coordinator of the Oshana region Teofelus Kamati and Erongo commander Nikolaus Kupembona, who spearheaded the investigation.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na