Windhoek City Councillor exposes suspected blackmail plot

SWAPO Windhoek City Councillor Fransina Kahungu says she was targeted by scammers who tried to frighten her with claims of a curse and demands for money.

In a statement issued recently, Kahungu said that she received calls from two people claiming to be traditional doctors using cellphone numbers 081 458 2597 and 081 493 6915.

During the conversations, the callers allegedly told her that senior politicians had paid for her to be “eliminated” and that a curse had been placed on her. They said they could reverse it, but only if she paid them N$2,000.

“I became increasingly suspicious that this was not a genuine traditional healing matter, but rather a carefully planned attempt to manipulate and financially exploit me,” Kahungu said. She refused to send the money.

The councillor added that the calls were recorded.

Audios of the calls have since leaked on social media.

In the background of one audio, another voice could be heard coaching the female caller.

Attempts by Informanté to contact the two numbers yielded nothing. One was unreachable. The other was answered by a woman who said the phone belonged to someone else she could not name.

Kahungu, who is a member of the City Council’s Management Committee, has called on the police to investigate the numbers and also warned the public to be wary of unsolicited calls from people claiming to cure curses for money.

“I will not be intimidated, frightened or blackmailed into silence,” she said. “I was fortunate to recognise that something was wrong and refused to transfer the requested money. Others may not be so fortunate.”

Photo: Namibian Presidency