Ondiyamande: The 39-year-old Afread Thomas, accused in the alleged murder of his 83-year-old grandmother at her homestead in Ondiyamande village, Uukwiyuushona Constituency, was on Monday denied bail in the Oshakati Magistrate's Court.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Thomas, well known as Kambila, appeared for the first time on charges of murder, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, and violating a protection order. His case was postponed to 06 October 2026 to allow the accused to acquire a legal representative. He was remanded in custody.

It is alleged that the incident happened on Friday when Thomas smashed a bedroom window to gain entry into Selma Shilongo's room, where he attacked her with an unknown object, inflicting multiple wounds. The deceased, who was found lying in a pool of blood, had been sleeping in the room with her young grandson at the time of the incident.

Thomas was arrested at Oluno, Ondangwa, on Saturday afternoon when an off-duty police officer spotted him boarding a taxi to a bar. The officer, dressed in civilian clothing, followed and monitored him before calling other officers to carry out the arrest.

Magistrate Lloyd Munyungano presided over the matter while prosecutor Shylock Lifasi Mulijani stood in for the State.