THE remains of 22-year-old Fambauone 'Talent' Black were
repatriated to his home country, Zimbabwe, on Saturday, two weeks after he was
killed during an 'Operation Kalahari Desert' patrol.
Black died from a shot to the head, allegedly inflicted by
a Namibian Defence Force (NDF) member, after he (Black) reportedly attempted to
avoid a mini roadblock that had been set up by the operation's members.
He will be buried in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. A
spokesperson for the Zimbabwean community based in Namibia, Elisha Chambara,
informed The Namibian that various Zimbabweans living in Namibia as well as
some Namibians pooled enough funds to repatriate Black.
His body was transported by public transport, with his
casket loaded into a trailer. Zimbabwean nationals turned up on Saturday to bid
him farewell.
Media reported last week that the Zimbabwean embassy in
Namibia was working together with his family and the Namibian government to
ensure that Fambauone's remains are repatriated.
The family, however, claimed that no assistance had been
received from either party.
Reports of the incident suggested that Fambauone met an
unfortunate end after he tried to make a U-turn to avoid the mini roadblock
erected by 'Operation Kalahari Desert' members in Katutura's Greenwell Matongo
area.
The suspected killer, NDF member Gerson Nakale, was denied
bailed after he appeared in the Katutura Magistrate's Court following the
shooting.
Fambauone's brother, Emmanuel Black, told The Namibian last
week that the family was faced with the immense task of raising enough money
for the funeral.
According to him, the two brothers, being the Black
family's youngest members, decided to come to Namibia last year, where they have
been working to send money back home.
Both began as fruit vendors, but later took on different
careers to garner more funds for their large family based in Zimbabwe.
Emmanuel, who is employed as a gardener in Windhoek's Eros
suburb, said an estimated N$30 000 was needed for the repatriation. He added
that the family had been relying on donations from other taxi drivers.
Police have in the meantime conveyed condolences to the
family. Khomas police regional commander Joseph Shikongo described the shooting
incident as “regrettable” in a statement issued last week.
Police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga also extended
his condolences during a briefing he called to address members of the operation
in the wake of the tragic incident.
One of the rules of engagement, according to Ndeitunga, is
that “no member is allowed to use a firearm without being ordered to do so by
their commander.” Namibian
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