Friend speaks out after woman’s fatal stabbing
The body of Ester Ndafapawa Nauyoma (24) lay at her family's home in Windhoek's Ombili informal settlement for several hours after she was fatally stabbed on 2 February this year, according to her family.
Her boyfriend, Tangeni Nangaku (37), was arrested on the same day after he was apprehended at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. He appeared at the Katutura Magistrate's Court this week on a murder charge. He will return to court on 25 November for a formal bail application. He remains in custody.
A close friend of Nauyoma told Namibian Sun this week that a female cousin, who had reportedly witnessed the fight, ran to the Ombili police station to ask officers for help. However, the friend said the cousin later alleged she was told that no police vehicle was available.
When she returned to the house, she later told friends and family that she had tried to intervene but that Nangaku allegedly threw a glass bottle at her, forcing her to back away.
Nangaku allegedly then fled the house and returned to his home. He reportedly went to Katutura Intermediate Hospital for treatment of wounds allegedly sustained during the altercation, where he was subsequently arrested.
Nauyoma's family members eventually found her unresponsive inside the house. Police said she had died from a single stab wound to the chest.
Family members told Namibian Sun Nauyoma's body was not immediately removed and allegedly remained at the house for several hours. According to the family, an off-duty police officer who was a family friend eventually intervened and made arrangements for the body to be removed by police. The family said they were informed that an ambulance could not transport a deceased person and that separate arrangements had to be made for the removal of the body.
‘Feared for her safety’
Nauyoma's friend told Namibian Sun she had received a call from Nauyoma earlier that fateful day from an unknown number. Nauyoma allegedly warned her not to answer calls from her own phone because Nangaku had taken it and was the person making the calls.
According to the friend, Nangaku had arrived at the house earlier that afternoon, found Nauyoma sleeping and allegedly took her phone following an argument.
"I told her I would come to her house with police officers because I feared for her safety," the friend said.
However, Nauyoma reportedly declined the offer.
Nauyoma's family described her six-year relationship with Nangaku as "toxic," saying the couple frequently argued. The two did not have any children together.
The friend alleged there had been a history of abuse, with injuries sometimes visible on Nauyoma’s body.
Nauyoma lived with her mother, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews at the family home in Ombili. She worked at a café in Eros, while Nangaku worked as a barber. She was due to turn 25 on 20 March.
Her family described her as a loving person who a homebody. She was particularly close to her mother and siblings and played an important role in the family, the friend said.
