Python slaying leads to alleged domestic violence in Oshikoto
Quarrel over beer leads to murder, police say
Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in the Kavango West Region on suspicion of raping his sister (12).
A strange entwined case of wildlife crime and domestic violence stunned residents of Omutonda village in the Oshikoto Region this week, after police investigating an assault uncovered the illegal killing of a protected python.
The incident, which unfolded on Thursday, 17 April, began when a 39-year-old man allegedly killed a python with wooden sticks and a panga while tending his livestock in a forested area of Nehale Lyampingana constituency.
Pythons are listed among Namibia’s protected game species, and any interaction with them, especially lethal ones, requires formal reporting and permits.
But the suspect reportedly failed to notify authorities. Instead, he allegedly took the carcass home, sparking a domestic dispute with his wife over what police sources say was the python’s meat.
The argument, according to police, escalated into a case of domestic violence, prompting the wife to file a complaint. When police responded, they discovered the snake’s dried skin, its meat already gone. Authorities estimate the python’s value at N$30 000.
The suspect was arrested and later released on a warning. He faces charges of hunting protected game without a permit and a charge of domestic assault.
He was due to appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
While the python story stands out for its peculiar chain of events, it was just one of several serious incidents reported to police nationwide during a week that saw a surge in violent crimes, drug busts and road fatalities.
Violence cases raise alarm
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Kahenge in the Kavango West Region for allegedly raping his 12-year-old sister in a mahangu field. Authorities confirmed the siblings’ relationship and said the suspect had been warned about inappropriate behaviour towards his sibling in the past.
Police are also investigating a break-in and rape at Impalila in the Zambezi Region. Police arrested two 23-year-old men after the duo allegedly broke into a house and raped and assaulted a 24-year-old Zambian woman around 01:00 on Saturday. The woman was taken to Katima Mulilo for medical care and examination.
Also on Thursday, in Keetmanshoop, a petty disagreement over a beer turned fatal. A 36-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed 21-year-old Max Plaatjies in the neck with a pocketknife during an argument outside Jika Jika Supermarket. The wounded man managed to walk about 100 metres before collapsing near Woermann & Brock. He died on the spot. The suspect was arrested, though the murder weapon has not yet been retrieved.
Drug busts
Law enforcement made multiple drug-related arrests across the country over the past week.
In Lüderitz, a 34-year-old man was found with 79 full mandrax tablets with an estimated value of N$9 480. On the same day, a 19-year-old suspect already in custody in Aroab was caught with seven mandrax tablets hidden in a holding cell.
Rehoboth police arrested a 61-year-old woman carrying 17 bankies of cannabis during a body search. In a separate incident, three people, including two women aged 18 and 19, were caught attempting to smuggle cannabis into a prison by hiding it in a sugar packet meant for an inmate.
Otjiwarongo also saw a 25-year-old man arrested after he was searched at a local shop and found in possession of suspected crack cocaine valued at N$800.
In another case, a 64-year-old man was arrested at the Ariamsvlei border post after 26 suspected unpolished diamonds and a diamond tester were found in his bag. He had recently re-entered Namibia from South Africa.
The incident, which unfolded on Thursday, 17 April, began when a 39-year-old man allegedly killed a python with wooden sticks and a panga while tending his livestock in a forested area of Nehale Lyampingana constituency.
Pythons are listed among Namibia’s protected game species, and any interaction with them, especially lethal ones, requires formal reporting and permits.
But the suspect reportedly failed to notify authorities. Instead, he allegedly took the carcass home, sparking a domestic dispute with his wife over what police sources say was the python’s meat.
The argument, according to police, escalated into a case of domestic violence, prompting the wife to file a complaint. When police responded, they discovered the snake’s dried skin, its meat already gone. Authorities estimate the python’s value at N$30 000.
The suspect was arrested and later released on a warning. He faces charges of hunting protected game without a permit and a charge of domestic assault.
He was due to appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
While the python story stands out for its peculiar chain of events, it was just one of several serious incidents reported to police nationwide during a week that saw a surge in violent crimes, drug busts and road fatalities.
Violence cases raise alarm
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Kahenge in the Kavango West Region for allegedly raping his 12-year-old sister in a mahangu field. Authorities confirmed the siblings’ relationship and said the suspect had been warned about inappropriate behaviour towards his sibling in the past.
Police are also investigating a break-in and rape at Impalila in the Zambezi Region. Police arrested two 23-year-old men after the duo allegedly broke into a house and raped and assaulted a 24-year-old Zambian woman around 01:00 on Saturday. The woman was taken to Katima Mulilo for medical care and examination.
Also on Thursday, in Keetmanshoop, a petty disagreement over a beer turned fatal. A 36-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed 21-year-old Max Plaatjies in the neck with a pocketknife during an argument outside Jika Jika Supermarket. The wounded man managed to walk about 100 metres before collapsing near Woermann & Brock. He died on the spot. The suspect was arrested, though the murder weapon has not yet been retrieved.
Drug busts
Law enforcement made multiple drug-related arrests across the country over the past week.
In Lüderitz, a 34-year-old man was found with 79 full mandrax tablets with an estimated value of N$9 480. On the same day, a 19-year-old suspect already in custody in Aroab was caught with seven mandrax tablets hidden in a holding cell.
Rehoboth police arrested a 61-year-old woman carrying 17 bankies of cannabis during a body search. In a separate incident, three people, including two women aged 18 and 19, were caught attempting to smuggle cannabis into a prison by hiding it in a sugar packet meant for an inmate.
Otjiwarongo also saw a 25-year-old man arrested after he was searched at a local shop and found in possession of suspected crack cocaine valued at N$800.
In another case, a 64-year-old man was arrested at the Ariamsvlei border post after 26 suspected unpolished diamonds and a diamond tester were found in his bag. He had recently re-entered Namibia from South Africa.
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