An eyewitness to the gruesome killing of Patrick Hawala Hamupanda, also known as Waka, in Katutura on Sunday said she found him holding his neck and saw panga wounds on his face and arms.
This comes as two suspects were initially arrested yesterday in connection with Hamupanda’s murder and the police released identikits of a further four suspects.
A police source later confirmed that another suspect whose picture had been released among the initial four was arrested late yesterday afternoon.
The three suspects, who were on the run at the time of going to print, are Lukas ‘Big Show’ Nghishekwa, Wilhelm ‘Lavas’ Modestus and Kleofas Amutenya.
They are wanted for housebreaking and murder.
They have been described as armed and dangerous and the police have warned the public not to try to apprehend them, but rather inform investigators of their whereabouts.
Members of the public with information can contact deputy commissioner Chrispin Mubebo at 081 268 8888, or detective chief inspector Simeon Nghilalulwa at 081 256 0988.
The witness, who did not want to be identified as she fears for her life, said when she walked out of her room in Mungunda Street in Katutura on Sunday, she saw a man with a gun coming out of the bedroom where Hamupanda was.
“I just froze because in the corridor were four guys and the two were in the room. The one had a gun and the other a panga. They were speaking in Oshiwambo and I could not understand what they were saying, but in the background I could hear him calling my name when I got into the room and he was holding his neck and I think he was shot there because he had three panga cuts in his face and both arms,” the eyewitness said.
According to a police crime report, the 31-year-old Hamupunda was stabbed and shot by unknown suspects in a house in Katutura on Sunday.
Hamupunda was attacked by suspects armed with a pistol and a panga. The suspects were allegedly looking for the owner of the Polo Vivo that was parked on the premises.
They allegedly searched the rental rooms at the premises and found Hamupunda in one. Subsequently, a dispute arose, leading to the suspects stabbing and shooting Hamupunda. The police revealed that the suspects fled the scene in a blue Citroën.
According to a source, they were involved in a robbery earlier which did not go according to plan.
“Waka was feared and they (the suspects) were known as the Lovers and Big Show Boys from Hakahana, and he was the chief,” the source said.
On Monday, Khomas police spokesperson Silas Shipandeni confirmed that a murder investigation was underway, but did not provide further details on the matter.
“If you meant arrests, not that I’m aware of, but I will … find out and revert to you,” he said.
Hamupunda, according to police sources, had over the years had run-ins with the authorities.
A friend of Hamupunda, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said those responsible for his death made sure he would not survive.
“How do you shoot and hack someone with a panga and stab him?”
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