Zambezi woman in court after flatmate dies in fire
A 38-year-old woman in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, has been denied bail after being charged with murder, attempted murder, and arson. She allegedly set fire to a room where her flatmate and two children were sleeping, resulting in the flatmate's death.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing issues regarding domestic violence and public safety in regional Namibian communities.
A woman who allegedly killed her flatmate by setting fire to the room in which she was with her two daughters was denied bail in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
It is alleged that Nambwa Matengu (38) set fire to the room in which Nsala Mwazi (42) was sleeping with her two daughters in the town’s Shackdweller area on Monday.
Mwazi and the girls were woken up by the fire, and started screaming for help.
Mwazi managed to push her daughters out through the burglar bars of the flat’s windows, while still screaming for help.
Unfortunately, she was not able to save herself and succumbed to the fire.
It is further alleged that Matengu was found standing around in her room by neighbours doing nothing to help, while Mwazi was crying for help.
The landlord told the police that Matengu and Mwazi were not on good terms.
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