Community members at Walvis Bay have condemned the not-guilty verdict of Azaan Madisia (30) and her brother and co-accused, Steven Mulundu (25).

The pair stood accused of murdering 22-year-old Shannon Wasserfall, a close friend of Madisia, in April 2020. 

The community at the harbour town was totally shocked by the gruesome discovery of Wasserfall's remains a year after she disappeared, and many speculated as to who the perpetrator or perpetrators were.

Hundreds of people even marched in the streets to condemn the murder because they assumed it was gender-based violence.

Azaan Madisia was later arrested, while her brother handed himself over to the police.

nbc News has been covering this case since the duo first appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrates Court until it was moved to the Windhoek High Court. Today, the judgement was delivered, and we were curious to find out what the community and Wasserfall's family members based in the harbour town thought of it.

"It's a terrible blow; it's like they opened up the wound. I mean, how can you be found guilty of obstruction of justice when you have been found not guilty of murder? Honestly speaking, in my opinion, the state has failed us. The state has failed us beyond a reasonable doubt. In the first place, this case, since Shannon's disappearance, has been investigated, and we even went as far as seeing the Inspector General to talk. The investigation officer was totally not paying attention to this case, which is why the investigation officers were changed. So by that time, it was too late because all the sufficient evidence had been wiped away. So for us, really, it's a big blow," said Raymond Wasserfall, Shannon's uncle.

The not guilty judgement has shocked and angered most of the people we spoke to. In fact, they have more questions than answers. They are hoping the family will appeal the judgement.