Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian witnesses in the inquest into the killing of the Nchindo brothers and their cousin, which is currently underway in the Kasane Magistrate’s Court in Botswana, have been told to return to Namibia.
The brothers Tommy, Wamunyima, and Martin Nchindo, and their Zambian cousin Sinvula Munyeme were allegedly shot and killed by members of the Botswana Defence Force while fishing in the Chobe River on 5 November 2020.
Witnesses who have testified and those who were still to testify told The Namibian they have been told they were no longer needed. Charles Nchindo, the brother of the slain men and a witness in the matter, has confirmed this.
“Around 18h00 the police officer came and told us to prepare ourselves, because tomorrow you are all going back to Namibia. How do we go back if the inquest is supposed to end next week Friday?
“After all, we also have questions to ask, because it’s a public court,” he says.
Nchindo says two witnesses, as well as two Namibian police officers and doctors have not testified yet. He questions why the message was not relayed by the judiciary.
He says the group of witnesses were told the Botswana government needed to cut costs. They are still in Kasane awaiting their Covid-19 test results before returning to Namibia, he says. Ray Shamwanga, Misheck Mahela, Mahela Mate, Gilbert Mafwila, Christa Nyambe, and Cacious Mwala Mwala testified on Thursday and Friday.
The witnesses are accompanied by Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu and Katima Mulilo Rural constituency councillor Matengu Simushi, as well as a delegation from the Namibian high commision to Botswana. Public prosecutor Boniface Konga is attending the inquest on behalf of the state.
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