Dignified burial
Dignified burial

Dignified burial

After her remains spent months in a shallow grave, the victim of a mysterious murder has finally been laid to rest.
Herma Prinsloo
LEANDREA LOUW

WALVIS BAY



The late Shannon Wasserfall (21) was buried in Walvis Bay on Saturday, with hordes of mourners in attendance to say their last goodbyes.

Wasserfall went missing in April 2020 and her remains were discovered in a shallow grave on 6 October 2020 near the new Narraville turnoff. Two suspects - Azaan Madisia (28) and her brother Steven Mulundu (22) - have been arrested and charged with murder and obstructing the course of justice.



Heartfelt tributes

A memorial service was held for Wasserfall on Friday night at the Narraville Rugby Stadium.

Heartfelt tributes were paid by her close friends, cousins and a few dignitaries. Shannon's mother, Poppie Wasserfall, said no words can describe how she feels.

“You were the light of my life, my rock. Life is cold and I am definitely not the same without you. I wish we had more time to spend with you. My heart hurts every day, the pain will never stop but I find comfort in God and can see your smile in your little boy – Junior.”

Her father, Tega Mathews, said Shannon was his sunshine.

“I could not have been prouder of Shannon. We all knew her in our own way. We are humbled by the support we received from all over the country. I thought she would have a normal happy life.”

The deputy minister of information, communication and technology, Emma Theofelus, said a life was cut short. “The life of a young Namibian woman, who follows a long list of women and young women before her, was cut short due to violence. Shannon carried the dreams and hopes of all Namibians. That is why many stood up for her. “She is not the only one the country has mourned and stood up for. Every day I pray that she would be the last, but sadly violence continues to cripple the women of our country. What is sadder is that it is multi-dimensional and affects all of us,” Theofelus said.

Shannon's funeral took place on Saturday from the Roman Catholic Church in Kuisebmond.

In a touching tribute to his goddaughter, the governor of the Erongo region, Neville Andre, said he will not have the opportunity to see her live her life.

“I had been prepared to be actively involved in her life, seeing her graduate university, giving her away at her wedding, but that will not be. I now have to stand over her coffin and bid her farewell. No parent ever thinks of burying their child.”

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Namibian Sun 2024-07-07

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