Kahenge: Residents of Kahenge in the Nkurenkuru Constituency held a candlelight vigil on Friday in memory of Rosalia Andonyo, a 39-year-old woman who was allegedly raped and murdered last week. A 22-year-old suspect, a Grade 9 student at Kahenge Combined School, has been arrested in connection with the incident. He appeared in Rundu Magistrate's Court on Monday, where he was denied bail, and the case was postponed to 22 July 2026.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Namibian Police Force reported on Sunday that the incident took place on the night of Friday, 20 February 2026. It is alleged that Andonyo died at the scene after being struck on the head with an unknown object. The suspect is believed to have dragged her body into nearby shrubs before fleeing.

Community member Bernadine Haukwambi addressed mourners, expressing the fear women in the area feel. She called for accountability and urged residents to report illegal activities. Haukwambi emphasized that the grief extends beyond Kahenge to the entire nation, citing the frequent occurrences of violence against women and children.

Joao Antonio, Andonyo's younger brother, recounted how the family realized she was missing after her children reported her absence. They searched through the night and eventually found her body in the bushes under a tree. He expressed the family's disbelief and inability to process the tragedy.

Leopodine Kandere, Andonyo's daughter, described her mother as a hardworking parent who supported four children despite being unemployed. Kandere shared how her mother had gone to work in the field on the morning she was killed and how the family was devastated by the news.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.