Spitzkoppe man in hospital after alleged police beating
Police say they are investigating, but family demands accountability
A 44-year-old man from Spitzkoppe remains hospitalised in Windhoek after undergoing major abdominal surgery, following what he and witnesses allege was a violent assault by members of the Namibian police.
The victim, Melvin Areseb, is recovering at Katutura State Hospital after surgeons had to open his stomach when internal bleeding was discovered. His partner, Nicolette Hoabes, confirmed that doctors found his stomach filled with blood and that he now lives with stitches across his abdomen.
The incident occurred nearly three weeks ago after a domestic dispute in Spitzkoppe. Police from the Usakos station were called but arrived only at about 03h00, when the situation had already calmed.
According to Hoabes, they removed Areseb from his home, handcuffed him and loaded him into a police vehicle. He was allegedly beaten outside the house and again during transport, with reports that the vehicle stopped en route to Usakos so officers could continue the assault.
Areseb was released the following day and dropped on the roadside near Usakos, from where he had to hitchhike. He was picked up by family, but later taken to the Usakos State Hospital and then transferred to Windhoek for emergency surgery. Hoaseb says he remains in severe pain and cannot use the toilet naturally.
Senior Inspector Judith Sjomengola of the Erongo police confirmed the case is under investigation.
“We are busy investigating,” she said in response to a list of allegations and questions by the family and media.
Areseb\\'s family question why he was taken into custody, what charges he faced, why he was not provided medical attention immediately, and why he was released on the roadside. They also criticise the lack of an incident report, the absence of a formal statement from the victim, and the failure to collect witness testimonies despite several people being willing to speak.
According to Hoaseb, the family dispute was \\"not serious\\", neither had her partner had any issues with the law previously.
The victim, Melvin Areseb, is recovering at Katutura State Hospital after surgeons had to open his stomach when internal bleeding was discovered. His partner, Nicolette Hoabes, confirmed that doctors found his stomach filled with blood and that he now lives with stitches across his abdomen.
The incident occurred nearly three weeks ago after a domestic dispute in Spitzkoppe. Police from the Usakos station were called but arrived only at about 03h00, when the situation had already calmed.
According to Hoabes, they removed Areseb from his home, handcuffed him and loaded him into a police vehicle. He was allegedly beaten outside the house and again during transport, with reports that the vehicle stopped en route to Usakos so officers could continue the assault.
Areseb was released the following day and dropped on the roadside near Usakos, from where he had to hitchhike. He was picked up by family, but later taken to the Usakos State Hospital and then transferred to Windhoek for emergency surgery. Hoaseb says he remains in severe pain and cannot use the toilet naturally.
Senior Inspector Judith Sjomengola of the Erongo police confirmed the case is under investigation.
“We are busy investigating,” she said in response to a list of allegations and questions by the family and media.
Areseb\\'s family question why he was taken into custody, what charges he faced, why he was not provided medical attention immediately, and why he was released on the roadside. They also criticise the lack of an incident report, the absence of a formal statement from the victim, and the failure to collect witness testimonies despite several people being willing to speak.
According to Hoaseb, the family dispute was \\"not serious\\", neither had her partner had any issues with the law previously.
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