Africa-Press – Namibia. THE tributes delivered during both the memorial service and the burial of State Prosecutor Justine Ndapandula Shiweda were unanimous in describing her as friendly, soft-spoken, humble, respectful and hard-working.
The memorial service and the burial took place in Onambango village near Ondangwa on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Seven community and family tributes, as well as nine institutional and official messages, were delivered.
Photos: Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare was the Chief Mourner in representation of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and was accompanied by Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu, Acting Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa, Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka, Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Commission Paulus Noa, NamPol Inspector-General Joseph Shikongo and Hophni Iipinge, Oshana’s Regional Governor.
Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, whose palace is located in Onambango village, was represented by senior traditional councillor John Walenga.
Speaking on behalf of Justine’s Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court colleagues, Lydia Kambonde said that the late prosecutor was respectful, humble and soft-spoken, but inside the courtroom she was a fierce fighter for justice.
“For Justine, justice was not just employment. It was a purpose,” said Kambonde.
According to Acting Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa, Justine was quiet but very strong in her principles.
She said that, having refused to be bought, bullied or broken, Justine became a target.
Imalwa said that prosecutors might now be asking themselves whether the cost of their job is that high and whether it is worth dying for.
She encouraged them to remain steadfast, following the example of those who fought for the liberation of Namibia from foreign occupation and exploitation.
“We mourn but do not retreat. We grieve but do not surrender,” she said.
Major-General Anna-Marie Nainda of the Namibian Police said the senseless attack and eventual death of Justine did not only come as a shock to the immediate family but also to the entire criminal justice system.
Reverend Stephanus Shigwedha of the Onguta Parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) expressed doubt whether it is still right to refer to Namibia as the “Land of the Brave”.
Incidents of violence perpetrated by men, mostly against women and children, led him to conclude that the only bravery left is “bravery in digging graves for others”.
He encouraged judicial officers and other law enforcement agents with a Biblical text (Matthew 10:28): “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Justine, or Kapandu as she was affectionately known, was seriously injured in an acid and gun attack on 17 October and died in hospital in Windhoek on 7 February.
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