Rundu
An unidentified man was shot dead after he broke into a Namibia Defence Force (NDF) canteen at Rundu in the early hours of yesterday.
The burglar almost got away with N$6 000 that he allegedly stole from a safe in the canteen, but was shot and died instantly.
When New Era arrived at the crime scene at 02h00 after being tipped off, the police had already removed the body to the mortuary.
Police officials told New Era that the incident happened after midnight, just after 01:00 as people were sleeping.
It is alleged that the burglars were two who cut corrugated zinc sheets open to gain entrance into the canteen, where soldiers at Rundu socialise in their free time.
Shortly after the burglars broke in, some soldiers who live next to the canteen heard the noise and started shouting to scare away the thieves.
As they tried to flee one of the thieves allegedly threatened an oncoming soldier with a metal object which he used to break into the canteen. The soldier reacted by shooting the suspect in the chest, leading to his instant death.
The deceased’s accomplice ran away when the soldiers woke up and no one could identify both of them.
The soldier who shot the burglar is expected to appear in court tomorrow.
New Era further wanted to speak to the Kavango East Acting Crime Investigations Coordinator, Chief Inspector Chrispin Mubebo, but could not access him as he was in meetings.