A man who was allegedly shot by an off-duty police officer at Gcagcana village in the Kavango East region on Sunday says the officer who shot him in the abdomen aimed to kill him.
The officer has indeed killed him, he says, because he won’t be able to feed his family due to his injuries.
Frans Ndara (35) was shot in the lower abdomen with a pistol by an off-duty police officer at Gcagcana village situated in Rundu Rural Constituency on Sunday evening after a “small scuffle”.
“I have a family to take care of, but now I have been told that I cannot lift heavy objects. How will I survive?
“How will I put bread on the table for my kids?” he asked yesterday at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, where he has been admitted.
Ndara said he had a “small argument” with his grandmother at the cuca shop where they were drinking.
He said the off-duty officer approached him and started asking him why he was arguing with his grandmother.
Ndara said he tried to ignore the officer.
However, the issue escalated and the officer slapped him and he fell, he said.
His cousin came out of the cuca shop and tried to help Ndara, which is when he realised he he had been shot, he said.
Ndara said the government should intervene, since the officer who shot him knows the law and is employed by the government.
“This thing of police officers committing crimes, getting arrested and being taken into custody or prison . . . the government will still feed them, or he pays his way out of jail and the money goes to the government.
“What about me who got shot and injured?’’ he asked.
“Even the headman of the village must look into these and the councillors. I need assistance in any form. I am now injured and unable to feed myself, while he is employed by the government.”
The suspect, reported to be a senior warrant officer, has in the meantime been arrested on charges of attempted murder and defeating the course of justice.
Kavango East crime investigations coordinator Bonifatius Kanyetu said the officer shot Ndara in the stomach with a pistol, sustaining serious injuries.
The suspect allegedly failed to report for a primer residue examination, thus defeating the administration of justice.
His service weapon, which he allegedly used in the shooting, has been seized and he is due to appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court today.
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