Residents to protest violent crimes
Residents to protest violent crimes

Residents to protest violent crimes

SWAKOPMUND
Jessica (Erongo) Botes
Jessica Botes

In light of the recent wave of violent crimes in the Erongo region, local residents are planning to stage a silent protest at the Swakopmund magistrate court in September.

The protest will coincide with the next court appearance on 26 September of the three suspects accused of robbing and murdering an elderly couple at their house in Swakopmund earlier this month.

According to the organiser of the protest, Clinton Lang, the group is applying for permission to host the silent protest.

“Let our silence be heard. We ask that the three suspects in the double murder of the Strzelecki couple not be eligible for bail and each receive at least three life sentences for their most heinous of crimes.”

“We also stand in silence for all those who have been murdered in our town and region and hope that justice is served, quickly and swiftly,” said Lang in a social media post.

The suspects, Jerobeam Simon Shidute (23), Fabianus Lazarus (24) and Daniel Stephanus Nghilifa (26), allegedly murdered Rosvietha Sieglinde (79) and severely assaulted her husband, Siegfried Paul Hermuth (82), during the robbery on 2 August. Siegfried died as a result of his injuries a few days later in the intensive care unit of the Marie Douglas frail care centre.

Two of the accused allegedly entered the couple’s home between 08:00 and 09:00 by using a duplicate key.

According to deputy commissioner Erastus Ikuyu of the Erongo police, they entered a room where they found Rosvietha, grabbed her by her neck, hit her head against the wall and strangled her. Her husband heard the noise and went to investigate.

He allegedly recognised one of the suspects as a man who had previously done some renovation work on their house.

The two accused allegedly threatened Siegfried with knives and asked him for money. They then tried to open a safe with a key. During the robbery the accused allegedly tied Siegfried up and assaulted him.

The accused escaped with a cell phone, a remote control, sandals and N$1 000 in cash. All the stolen items were recovered in the accused’s possession by members of the Namibian police.

Siegfried managed to untie himself and ask his neighbours to phone the police. His wife was declared dead at the scene by E-Med paramedics.

Kommentaar

Republikein 2025-06-18

Geen kommentaar is op hierdie artikel gelaat nie

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer