Auleria Wakudumo 

Police in Otjozondjupa are investigating a case of murder after a 49-year-old man was fatally shot while allegedly trying to rescue a lady who was being robbed last week. 

Otjozondjupa’s Community Policing Sub-division head, Senior Inspector Maureen Mbeha, said the incident occurred at Carwash No.1 in Okahandja at around 11h03 on Monday. 

She confirmed that the deceased, Titus Haihemwa – also known as ‘Tate Buti’- bravely intervened when a woman was being robbed of N$1 400. 

The officer said Haihemwa had taken his vehicle to the carwash at the time of the incident. 

“While waiting for his car to be washed, two unknown suspects (males) were dropped off by a taxi. The suspects approached a woman who was collecting cash from a betting shop located on the same premises. They pointed a gun at the woman, and robbed her of N$1 400,” Mbeha said. 

She added that Haihemwa, who was also armed, was shot as he pulled out his pistol in an attempt to rescue the woman. A bullet fired by one of the suspects struck him on the right side of the abdomen. He was transported to a hospital in Okahandja for treatment, and later transferred to Windhoek for further medical care. Unfortunately, he died on the way. 

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the taxi driver who dropped off the woman at the betting shop is a brother of the taxi driver who dropped off the suspects shortly thereafter,” Mbeha said. 

She added that although the woman had opened a case of robbery, she was subsequently arrested, and is being held at the Okahandja police station while investigations continue. 

Police said both taxi driver brothers had been located, and they are being questioned. The two robbery and murder suspects are on the run, but law-enforcement officers are on their trail. 

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