Elderly couple tied up in brazen Windhoek robbery as Independence weekend crime spree unfolds
A shocking armed robbery targeting an elderly couple in Academia has set the tone for a crime-filled weekend across Namibia, with police recording multiple violent incidents, fatalities, and arrests between Friday, the 20th of March, and Sunday, the 22nd of March 2026.
According to the Namibian Police, the pensioner couple was attacked at their home on Plato Street early Friday morning. Suspects allegedly gained entry through a locked gate, held the victims at gunpoint, and bound their hands and feet with electrical cables before locking them inside separate rooms.
The attackers fled with valuables, including cellphones, jewellery, and laptops worth approximately N$140 000. No arrests have been made.
Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The weekend also saw a series of armed robberies elsewhere in the country. In Ongongolwa village, Tsandi, two suspects allegedly stormed a bar on Friday night, fired shots into the air, and robbed the owner and an attendant of cash and mobile phones before fleeing.
However, in Swakopmund, police and community patrol teams responded swiftly to a robbery along Strand Street on Saturday evening. Four suspects travelling in a taxi allegedly targeted a couple, stealing mobile phones and bank cards. A coordinated chase involving police, neighbourhood watch groups, and private security companies led to the suspects’ arrest and the recovery of stolen items valued at about N$18 000.
Several fatal incidents were also recorded over the weekend.
At Okalikua mine, between Opuwo and Ohungmure, a 55-year-old man died after he was thrown from a vehicle when an unlicensed driver allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn. In Katutura, a 23-year-old man died after his vehicle crashed into a stationary truck. Two passengers survived with moderate injuries.
Another fatality was reported near Omuthiya, where a 24-year-old woman was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to cross the B1 road. Police also opened inquest dockets in several cases. A 59-year-old woman was found dead at a farm near Otjiwarongo, while a 73-year-old pensioner died at his home in Karasburg, reportedly due to a medical condition.
In a tragic incident in Onesi, a two-year-old boy drowned in a bucket of water after being left in the care of other children while his guardian briefly went to a nearby shop. Cases of suspected suicide were reported in Kamanjab and Tsumeb, with police indicating that no foul play is suspected. Authorities have urged members of the public to seek help and support during times of emotional distress.
Drug-related offences were also prominent, with multiple arrests recorded in Karasburg, Mariental, Oshakati, Aranos, Mururani, Osire, and Swakopmund. Suspects were found in possession of cannabis, mandrax tablets, and cocaine, often during intelligence-led operations or routine searches. In a separate case in Oshakati, two men were arrested after being found in possession of elephant tusks without a permit, allegedly intended for illegal sale.
Stock theft remains a concern in rural areas. In the Hochfeld area, one suspect was arrested after cattle were allegedly slaughtered at a resettlement farm. Three carcasses valued at N$60 000 were recovered, while three other suspects remain at large. Housebreaking incidents were reported in Khomasdal, Windhoek, and Katima Mulilo, where suspects broke into homes and stole items, including electronics and a firearm. No arrests have been made in these cases.
Shikwambi said police investigations into all reported incidents are continuing, and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as authorities work to curb crime nationwide.
