New Year starts with a crime bang

New Year starts with a crime bangSeven murders on New Year's Eve Seven murders marred the transition between 2016 and 2017, in addition to a violent rape at Aussenkehr and two armed car hijackings. A three-year-old boy died on New Year's Eve after he was forced into a water-filled container and sealed in for hours by an older cousin at Omundjalala village in the Omusati Region.

Police arrested and charged 27-year-old Albertina Nkoshi on a murder charge and she was to appear before the Outapi Magistrate's court yesterday, Warrant Officer Immanuel Lazarus said at a crime briefing on Monday.

Six other murders marred the transition between 2016 and 2017, a NamPol crime bulletin shows, in addition to a violent rape in the early morning hours of 1 January at Aussenkehr, and two armed car hijackings.

An argument about who could dance better resulted in the death of 16-year-old Kenneth Kobetsi at the River Entertainment Centre in Dolam, Katutura, on 30 December.

The suspect, 18-year-old Steve Swartbooi, was arrested on a murder charge after he allegedly stabbed Kobetsi in the neck.

In another murder case, Elia Lisius (23) allegedly stabbed a relative, with whom he shared a room, in the head during an argument on 1 January.

Johannes Jefta (22) died after an unknown assailant stabbed him as he was walking to a friend's house on New Year's Eve.

A man who allegedly tried to rob Paulus Shigwedha in Katutura on New Year's Eve died after Shigwedha stabbed him in self-defence. The deceased was 17-year-old Petrus Willem.

One man, who was allegedly part of a group of men, was scheduled to appear in court in Karasburg yesterday, charged with the rape of a 45-year-old woman.

The attack took place on 1 January, at about 04:00 in the morning, when five suspects attacked the woman and raped her. A 12-year-old boy at Rundu sustained serious injuries on New Year's Day when the driver of a silver Mercedes-Benz drove into him while he was walking on a gravel road. The boy is in a critical condition at Rundu State Hospital.

The suspect, Manuel Savihemba, a 33-year-old Namibian man, was arrested. He faces charges of reckless and negligent driving as well as drunk driving.

Police are investigating two armed car hijackings, one in Windhoek and one at Ongwediva.

The complainant at Ongwediva reported that three armed men had robbed him of his white Toyota Corolla, N$600 cash and a cellphone. The men then allegedly drove him to a secluded area, where he was tied up and later rescued by villagers.

In another incident, reported on 1 January, four assailants allegedly stole a dark blue two-door BMW in the Olympia and Auasblick areas of Windhoek after tying up a couple at gunpoint.

Police yesterday could not confirm whether the car had been located or anyone arrested.

JANA-MARI SMITH