WINDHOEK - A 31-year-old Namibian Defence Force (NDF) soldier was robbed and shot dead at close range in Otjiwarongo’s Orwetoveni residential area on Saturday.

According to Otjiwarongo Police Regional Crime Coordinator, Moses Khairabeb, the deceased, who has been identified as Joy Epafras De Celestino, was shot behind a nightclub in I. Gurirab Street, Orwetoveni at around 21h40.  Two suspects allegedly chased and grabbed the victim and shot him at close range where he sustained a shot wound to the right side of his chest and the right upper arm. The victim was rushed to the Otjiwarongo State Hospital but died shortly after his arrival.

The suspects aged 16 and 28, whose names cannot be released, were arrested yesterday at 13h10 in Orwetoveni with the deceased’s cellphone and a firearm. Khaerabeb said one of the suspects was allegedly also involved in an armed robbery at Out of Africa Lodge where money was stolen. The suspects are expected to appear in court today.
In another incident, an 18-year-old woman was raped on Saturday morning at around 02h00 in the bush near Orwetoveni Primary School at Otjiwarongo.

Two male and one female suspect were arrested in connection with the incident while the fourth (a male) is still on the run.
It is alleged that the four suspects pushed and dragged the victim into nearby bushes before the three males had non-consensual sexual intercourse with her, while the female watched. The suspects appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court yesterday.