Kaapanda’s missing herder still unsolved 0 The mother of 25-year-old Fillipus Jurius who went missing at former minister’s cattle post where he was employed as a herder, is frustrated by the slow progress of the investigation. It is a year since Elizabeth Akooko provided blood samples for DNA testing to determine if human remains which were discovered at the former information and communication technology minister’s cattle post in Onamatanga grazing area in Omusati Region are those of her missing son, but she says she is still in dark. The police are saying there were some problems with the DNA results, but they have sent outstanding items to the necessary authorities and are hoping that they will get the results soon. This was confirmed by the regional crime investigator for Omusati Deputy Commissioner Bonifatias Kanyetu. “We are appealing to the mother who is demanding for her blood sample back, to exercise patience. We had a problem with the DNA tests but we have submitted all the outstanding and pending items. We are done with the investigation, only the DNA results are missing.” Kanyetu said. Akooko said she is very frustrated and cannot wait any longer. She said it has been a long time since the police took her blood but they are not telling her anything. She said she is already hurt and the police are still hurting her more. She said the issues surrounding the mysterious disappearance of her son and the way she learnt about his disappearance was very traumatising.
“On 4 August last year I heard an announcement over NBC Oshiwambo community announcement programme that Jurius went missing. I was not aware that he was working as a cattle herder. He was taken from his father’s family in Onyaanya. I took the number that was given in the notice and when I called, I was told that it was former minister Joel Kaapanda who requested the announcement and the missing person is really my son. I was heartbroken to learn about my son being missing over the radio. It is a painful experience and a sign of disrespect to poor families,” Akooko said. On the afternoon of 31 July 2015, Jurius was dropped off at Kaapanda’s cattle post in the Onamatanga grazing area by Pinias Nashilongo who is Kaapanda‘s relative, and he was never seen again. Nashilongo reported Jurius missing at Okahao police station on 4 August and that same day decomposed human remains were discovered in the area. Okahao police opened an inquest file. According to the police, the remains could not be identified as they suspected that the body was destroyed by wild animals. There was no flesh on the bones, no clothes were found and some parts were missing. The remains and blood samples of family members were sent for DNA testing to Windhoek, and once they receive these results they will know how to proceed. However, police have confirmed a report by family members that Kaapanda told the family members in the presence of the police that before Jurius went missing, he called him (Kaapanda) that people came at the post threatening to kill him and he could hear some noise at the background. “Kaapanda never took this seriously. He could have reported it to the police immediately, but he waited for three days to send someone to the cattle post. We asked him to take us to the post, but he refused. What is he hiding from us?” said Frieda Mulunga, Jurius’s aunt.