Following the escape (and subsequent rearrest) of a murder accused from police custody at the Swakopmund State Hospital two weeks ago, no response regarding the circumstances of his escape and rearrest are communicated.

Namib Times did report on the escape and in our report stated that the Erongo police did confirm the escape and would get back to us, however it’s been two weeks without any response. The suspect/escapee was arrested following the murder of 20-year-old Stephanus Ignatius James earlier this year at a well-known Bar in Swakopmund’s Mondesa suburb.

Questions which were raised by Namib Times included on how the prisoner managed to escape from police custody and also how the police managed to track him down. These questions were sent to the Erongo police’s spokesperson, Senior Inspector Judith Shomongula, who referred us to the Regional Commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona. The same questions were then sent to Kupembona last week, but until date no response was received.

Namib Times also sent the questions this week to Deputy Commissioner Pretunilla Kauna Shikwambi, Head of the Nampol Public Relations Division, who only noted that “if the incident was confirmed by the substantive Regional Community Affairs Officer, then the same person can give you all other required information.” Meanwhile community members are lifting eyebrows regarding the seeming lack of information sharing when polices officers are involved in a case.

In this instance, the public needs to be informed on how exactly a murder accused managed to escape from police custody, subsequently “running free” in the community for several days before his rearrest, a community activist from Mondesa who requested unanimity fumed. “Was he not supposed to be handcuffed when they took him to hospital and how did he outrun the police officers/guards who were supposed to be with him or was there a getaway vehicle involved?’ he asked.

By Marshallino Beukes