Community seeks answers in Sheehama Matheus' disappearance
‘We are tired’ of violent crime
Concerned members of the community, including friends and family of the missing student, staged a peaceful protest in front of the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court last week and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.
Five men have been arrested and have made their first appearances at the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court in relation to the disappearance of Matheus Sheehama (24), who was last seen on Saturday, 27 July, attending a braai at his girlfriend’s home.
It is alleged Sheehama was last seen while being assaulted by the five suspects at the braai.
Michael Awaseb (24), the fifth suspect, made his first court appearance on Friday, joining Jimmy Gaeb (24), Marvin Wapota (20), Romano Paulus (20) and Enrico Gomachab (20), who had appeared before the court on Thursday.
They were all charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. The case has been postponed to 22 August for further police investigations, while the suspects remain behind bars.
‘Sleepless nights’
On Friday, friends and family of Sheehama, a University of Namibia student, held a peaceful demonstration at the court, saying they were tired of feeling unsafe in the streets of Steenbras, Topaz and Opaal (where the alleged assault took place).
Nujoma Martinus, speaking on behalf of Kuisebmond community members who gathered outside the court, said they are tired of high crime rates in these areas.
“We want to find our brother, our cousin, our son. We do not want this matter to be repeated like Shannon here in Walvis Bay. These boys – these criminal activities – it's too much in our community, especially in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Stabbings, robberies – it is happening every day. What has happened to Sheehama has left us with sleepless nights, and we cannot tolerate this. We are tired.”
Last sighting
Martinus claimed that during the assault on Sheehama, he was apparently stabbed and fell.
“This gang then followed him and proceeded to further attack him. They are the last persons to have seen him and know of his whereabouts. Jessica [his girlfriend], she must just tell the truth. They must just share where he is.”
Hope Neibes, a resident of Kuisebmond, highlighted the dangers faced by residents.
“We can’t walk by ourselves during the day or night," she said.
"This is the last straw – we keep hearing of stabbings and assaults, we are protesting, but nothing is being done. If we retaliate and take matters into our own hands... What then? We cannot always be in fear. The police must help us.”
She pleaded for anyone who has information on Sheehama’s whereabouts to speak up.
“If there is just a body, please just tell us where he is.”
Anybody with information regarding his whereabouts can contact Namibian Police Detective Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu at 081 2464757, Detective Warrant Officer Dennis Skrywer at 081 4433377, the Kuisebmond police station at 064 219070, or any nearest police station.
It is alleged Sheehama was last seen while being assaulted by the five suspects at the braai.
Michael Awaseb (24), the fifth suspect, made his first court appearance on Friday, joining Jimmy Gaeb (24), Marvin Wapota (20), Romano Paulus (20) and Enrico Gomachab (20), who had appeared before the court on Thursday.
They were all charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. The case has been postponed to 22 August for further police investigations, while the suspects remain behind bars.
‘Sleepless nights’
On Friday, friends and family of Sheehama, a University of Namibia student, held a peaceful demonstration at the court, saying they were tired of feeling unsafe in the streets of Steenbras, Topaz and Opaal (where the alleged assault took place).
Nujoma Martinus, speaking on behalf of Kuisebmond community members who gathered outside the court, said they are tired of high crime rates in these areas.
“We want to find our brother, our cousin, our son. We do not want this matter to be repeated like Shannon here in Walvis Bay. These boys – these criminal activities – it's too much in our community, especially in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Stabbings, robberies – it is happening every day. What has happened to Sheehama has left us with sleepless nights, and we cannot tolerate this. We are tired.”
Last sighting
Martinus claimed that during the assault on Sheehama, he was apparently stabbed and fell.
“This gang then followed him and proceeded to further attack him. They are the last persons to have seen him and know of his whereabouts. Jessica [his girlfriend], she must just tell the truth. They must just share where he is.”
Hope Neibes, a resident of Kuisebmond, highlighted the dangers faced by residents.
“We can’t walk by ourselves during the day or night," she said.
"This is the last straw – we keep hearing of stabbings and assaults, we are protesting, but nothing is being done. If we retaliate and take matters into our own hands... What then? We cannot always be in fear. The police must help us.”
She pleaded for anyone who has information on Sheehama’s whereabouts to speak up.
“If there is just a body, please just tell us where he is.”
Anybody with information regarding his whereabouts can contact Namibian Police Detective Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu at 081 2464757, Detective Warrant Officer Dennis Skrywer at 081 4433377, the Kuisebmond police station at 064 219070, or any nearest police station.
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