The police report into the incident said the two officers had earlier been involved in an argument.
Khomas police spokesperson warrant officer Silas Shipandeni said: “Upon investigation, we understand that the suspect went to the toilet and allegedly fell asleep in the toilet, and when the deceased came around to knock, he thought he was home and it was a burglar who was trying to break into his house and that is why he fired the shot through the toilet door. It is just very unfortunate that the shot killed his colleague.”
He said 35 police officers across the Khomas region were at the time of the incident attending a four-week course on crime prevention and community policing.
Shipandeni said they were hoping the officers would be better equipped in dealing with the public after the course.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Windhoek Magistrate”;s Court in Katutura today.
The suspect, who is based at the Wanaheda Police Station, was arrested at the scene after allegedly shooting his colleague in the head at OTT Bar in Katutura”;s Single Quarters area.
Nestory Usebiu was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.
Khomas regional police commander commissioner Ismael Basson yesterday confirmed the shooting and said off-duty officers should not carry service pistols.
“An off-duty police officer can only carry a service firearm if the inspector general gives permission and in writing.
“That is why we are also investigating if this was negligence on the part of the suspect and his supervisors. As far as I am concerned this is a very unfortunate situation, and disappointing, as we are the protectors of the public and we are turning against each other.
“The force has lost two officers – an unfortunate death that could have been prevented and one in custody,” Basson said.
“;GOOD MAN WHO LOVED ALCOHOL”;
Usebiu”;s father, Amunyela Usebiu, yesterday said the family has lost their pride.
“To be honest, my son was drinking a lot. He loved alcohol, but he was a good son, father and friend.
“He grew up at Tsumeb and we sent him to the north to finish school there.
“Upon completing school, he came back and helped me support the family by finding a job at a local cement factory.
“He was also very good with languages, so he would assist people at the factory with translations,” he said.
His father said Usebiu was a good soccer player, known as “;Baggio”;.
Usebiu had seven children, and with his death the family is not sure they will be able to support them.
ARGUMENT
A witness to the incident yesterday said the two men arrived at the bar in a group and got into an argument after a while.
“The suspect was threatening to shoot his colleague, so the other officers stopped them and they removed his pistol.
“After a while he told them he has calmed down and asked for his pistol back. He was given the pistol and left the bar to go to the toilet.
“After an hour or so Usebiu also went to the toilet, knocking, saying the suspect has been in the toilet long and should come out. That is when we heard the shot,” he said.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
