Carwash owner denies fatal stabbing at business premises

The owner of a carwash in Windhoek has ordered the Namibian Police to repair the reputational damage he claims was caused to his business after the police reported that a man was fatally stabbed at his business premises.

This comes after national police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi announced in the police’s weekend crime report that a 49-year-old man, Brave Kavari, was stabbed to death at the carwash at Katutura.

The incident took place at around 17h00 on Saturday.

“It is alleged that the suspect stabbed the deceased […] with an unknown object on the left side of the neck, and that he died on the spot,” Shikwambi said in the report.

Bix Carwash owner Benjamin Kambala says this report is a deviation from the truth, and damages the carwash’s image and reputation.

“Bix Carwash wishes to inform the public that the deceased was not murdered on their premises, as reported by the police, nor was the deceased a patron at the carwash.

“According to information, the deceased was killed on the grounds of the City of Windhoek, which is close to the open market at Single Quarters at Katutura, and not at Bix Carwash,” he says.

He says the safety of his business’ customers comes first, and this has been proven over the years.

“No incident of violence or murder was recorded on the premises of our business for the past 10 years ,” he says.

Kambala says his business will continue to create a safe environment for patrons.

“It is our wish that [the police] issue a media statement to rectify this damaging accusation to repair the damage caused to our brand and reputation,” he says.
Bix spokesperson Johanna Kambala says the police report has damaged the business’ image.

“People will be concerned about their safety and refrain from coming to the area. We are requesting them to issue a statement that rectify that the deceased was not murdered at our carwash,” she says.

“If the police do not issue a rectification statement, the management will consult our legal team and find out how we can approach the matter.”

Kambala says the business will now be at risk of losing money and eight employees could lose their jobs.

“We will give them seven days to respond, or else we will take action,” she says.

Shikwambi this week said the police have received a complaint from Bix Carwash and are investigating the matter.

“I will be ascertaining what transpired, but I believe that the owner of the carwash was not there, and I was also not there, and we always depend on information given to us on the ground.

“It is not deliberate, but if it happens maybe close to that, that will be provisionally what is alleged to have happened in that area – not necessarily that we are deliberately wanting to tarnish the carwash.

“We will respond formally. I am just waiting on the crime coordinator,” Shikwambi said.