THE Namibian Police has confirmed that a video trending on social media of an inmate being assaulted by cellmates at the Okahandja Police Station, was a ploy to extort money from the victim’s family.
This was confirmed in a media statement released on Thursday after the video circulated on social media.
“The victim was questioned by investigators, and revealed that they as inmates came up with a play or act, which was recorded, and the video was sent to relatives to solicit money from them,” notes the statement.
According to the statement, it was established that the video was sent to the victim’s family so that they would pay N$1 000, in order for him not to be harmed and to guarantee his safety.
On 30 November, between 02h00 and 03h00 at a bar at Nau-Aib, Okahandja, Mauritius Tjivinda was beaten on the head with a bottle.
He died on Monday, 2 December.
The statement notes that suspect David Kenaihe (the victim in the video) was arrested for attempted murder.
He appeared in court on 2 December and his case (now murder) was postponed to 20 February 2025.
He remains in custody.
Upon hearing the news of Tjivinda, the trial-awaiting inmates in cell no 2 allegedly decided to make a video of Kenaihe being beaten in the cells and by doing that, to extort money from his family.
“In the event that the family paid the money, Kenaihe would not be harmed, and his safety in the holding cells would be guaranteed, according to the prisoners,” notes the statement.
According to the statement, the Namibian Police has launched an investigation into the matter to criminally charge those involved, including the smuggling of the cellphone into the cells.
The video was allegedly taken on 4 November between 17h00 and 18h00.
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!
