Onekwaya West in shock after man allegedly kills uncle (94) with panga over ‘poisoned’ food The Onekwaya West community in the Ohangwena region is reeling in shock after the horrific murder of pensioner Joshua Kirus (94). Kirus’ nephew (32) allegedly hacked him to death with a panga at his home on Monday morning. The nephew, whose name cannot be mentioned as he is yet to appear court, is said to have been abusing drugs on Sunday evening prior to the incident. The suspect allegedly went to nearby cuca shops on Monday moring to look for his cousin, Kirus Hishongwa, who is the deceased’s namesake. “He claimed the uncle had told him [the nephew] to fetch him [the cousin] so they could have a family meeting. Unbeknown to Hishongwa along the way, the suspect had hidden a bow and arrow and was walking slowly behind Hishongwa,” family uncle Laban Mwashekele said this week. Before he knew it, Hishongwa was struck with an arrow in the neck. “Hishongwa started running towards the house where his grandfather was, and he told the grandfather they should run. The suspect told him he was going to kill them both,” Mwashekele said. Kirus had allegedly slaughtered a pig on Sunday evening, which the household shared for dinner. However, the next day, the nephew claimed his food had been poisoned. “But he was fine, like everyone who ate. He didn’t fall ill or vomit, but he had it in his head that he had been poisoned by the very people he lived and ate with all those years. “It was too late, Kirus was old, and although able, there was no way he could run so fast. The suspect caught up with him and mercilessly bludgeoned him with a panga all over the head and face. “The community is reeling in shock. It’s so horrific. We are sad about the incident, a man so old to have his life taken away in that way by someone he regarded as his child. “The uncle loved children after my sister, his wife, passed on four years ago he insisted that the children stay with him. He looked after about eight younger people at his homestead,” Mwashekele said. Another family member, Ndemweda Ndemweda, yesterday told The Namibian the villagers gathered at Kirus’ homestead. “They came to see for themselves what a horrific thing had transpired here. We are busy with arrangements so we can take our father to his final resting place. “The police helped us in apprehending our boy. He is part of our family. He was raised here and went to school here,” Ndemweda said. Regional commander Otillie Kashuupulwa yesterday described the incident as unfortunate and urged parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drug abuse. “This is indeed an unfortunate incident and our prayers are with the bereaved family,” she said. The post Onekwaya West in shock after man allegedly kills uncle (94) with panga over ‘poisoned’ food appeared first on The Namibian.

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