Nkurenkuru: Residents of Nkurenkuru and surrounding areas in the Kavango West Region delivered a petition to Governor Verna Sinimbo, demanding urgent action to address what they have labelled 'ritual killings.'

According to Namibia Press Agency, the group held a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives to what locals call 'Vakakorora'-alleged ritual killers who they believe are targeting community members for body parts. Community representatives, including Gabriel Tenga, expressed frustration and said they can no longer move around freely due to fear.

Contacted for comment, Namibian Police Regional Commander, Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo, however, stated that there is no proof that ritual killings are taking place in the area. She explained that two bodies recovered from the Kavango River on 29 July and 05 September 2025 had missing external parts, such as a leg, arm, feet, eyes, and ears, with no flesh on the skull and hands. 'These parts are however suspected to have been eaten by animals in the river, such as crocodiles and tiger fish,' Sakuwa-Neo said. The commissioner urged anyone with information to the contrary to contact the police.

The community raised questions about the nature of the deaths, challenging official explanations that some were drowning incidents, and questioning what type of fish could remove specific organs from human bodies. Residents also expressed a lack of confidence in the Namibian Police Force's ability to solve the alleged crimes. 'We as the public have lost confidence in the Namibian Police, and their credibility is compromised when they are unable to account for crimes that are committed in our communities,' the petition said.

Governor Sinimbo, upon receiving the petition, acknowledged the community's concerns. She emphasised that crime fighting requires a collective effort and appealed for community cooperation. 'The police are mandated to protect the lives and property of the community, and I hereby urge them to double their efforts to ensure safety in Kavango West Region,' she stated. The governor also stressed the importance of reporting missing persons immediately and assured residents that informants' identities would remain confidential.