Two fatal shootings in two weeks
Two shooting incidents have been reported in Kavango East Region over the span of the past two weeks, resulting in two fatalities and one injury.
The police, however, have said the multiple shooting incidents are not considered sufficient to label Namibia as having a gun control problem.
In an interview, police chief Inspector-General Joseph Shikongo emphasised that while gun-related crimes have not spiralled out of control, the police are always concerned with crimes that lead to the loss of life.
“From the police perspective, it is under control; however, we are concerned about those incidents where lives are lost.”
Deadly incidents
On 11 September, Mbambi Shinkanda (84) was gunned to death – allegedly by his 30-year-old grandson – with an AK-47 automatic rifle at Mabushe village.
Shinkanda’s wife, Annarosa Kashova Mungenga (92) sustained a gunshot wound on the left thigh and was treated at the Rundu State Hospital.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in police custody.
The motive for that shooting is reportedly suspected to be linked to witchcraft.
Another shooting took place last Friday at around 22:00, resulting in the death of Alpo Malaka Sipilikita (18) at Rundu's Millennium Park location. He died at the scene of the shooting.
Sipilikita was a grade 10 student at Rundu Senior Secondary School.
No arrest has been made yet, and information as to what transpired remains sketchy.
Namibian Sun understands that a candlelight vigil and a protest are planned for tomorrow.
On 13 August, it was also reported that a 30-year-old man was stabbed and shot to death in Windhoek’s Katutura area.
Apart from these fatal shootings that claimed the lives of innocent Namibians, there have also been reports of attempted murder and robberies at gunpoint over the past few months.
Loss of lives a concern
Shikongo, when asked about the recent shootings, gun control and the safety of the public, he said the matter is under control.
“Every shooting that happens, we do a manhunt and make sure a person is brought before the law.
“It is a concern to the leadership of the police when a life is lost in that way, so the regional commanders are directed just to ensure that crime intelligence should be more on the ground to determine what the causes are and to prevent them from happening in the future. Prevention, detection and investigation are the areas we are focusing on.”
He added: “Whenever people use firearms recklessly in society, it is a concern, but it is under control. We cannot compare what is happening in our country to what is happening in other countries where there are mass shootings where people go to the mall and shoot people randomly, hence what happened in Namibia – those are isolated incidents."
Shikongo said there are plans to review the laws governing the issuance of guns.
One potential change includes implementing a competency test requirement before individuals can purchase a firearm.
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The police, however, have said the multiple shooting incidents are not considered sufficient to label Namibia as having a gun control problem.
In an interview, police chief Inspector-General Joseph Shikongo emphasised that while gun-related crimes have not spiralled out of control, the police are always concerned with crimes that lead to the loss of life.
“From the police perspective, it is under control; however, we are concerned about those incidents where lives are lost.”
Deadly incidents
On 11 September, Mbambi Shinkanda (84) was gunned to death – allegedly by his 30-year-old grandson – with an AK-47 automatic rifle at Mabushe village.
Shinkanda’s wife, Annarosa Kashova Mungenga (92) sustained a gunshot wound on the left thigh and was treated at the Rundu State Hospital.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in police custody.
The motive for that shooting is reportedly suspected to be linked to witchcraft.
Another shooting took place last Friday at around 22:00, resulting in the death of Alpo Malaka Sipilikita (18) at Rundu's Millennium Park location. He died at the scene of the shooting.
Sipilikita was a grade 10 student at Rundu Senior Secondary School.
No arrest has been made yet, and information as to what transpired remains sketchy.
Namibian Sun understands that a candlelight vigil and a protest are planned for tomorrow.
On 13 August, it was also reported that a 30-year-old man was stabbed and shot to death in Windhoek’s Katutura area.
Apart from these fatal shootings that claimed the lives of innocent Namibians, there have also been reports of attempted murder and robberies at gunpoint over the past few months.
Loss of lives a concern
Shikongo, when asked about the recent shootings, gun control and the safety of the public, he said the matter is under control.
“Every shooting that happens, we do a manhunt and make sure a person is brought before the law.
“It is a concern to the leadership of the police when a life is lost in that way, so the regional commanders are directed just to ensure that crime intelligence should be more on the ground to determine what the causes are and to prevent them from happening in the future. Prevention, detection and investigation are the areas we are focusing on.”
He added: “Whenever people use firearms recklessly in society, it is a concern, but it is under control. We cannot compare what is happening in our country to what is happening in other countries where there are mass shootings where people go to the mall and shoot people randomly, hence what happened in Namibia – those are isolated incidents."
Shikongo said there are plans to review the laws governing the issuance of guns.
One potential change includes implementing a competency test requirement before individuals can purchase a firearm.
- [email protected]
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