Six face amended murder charges after Ondangwa prosecutor dies

Six people accused in the murder of Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda are expected to appear in Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on 16 March.

They were initially charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder, but the charges were amended to murder after Shiweda died on Saturday from the injuries she sustained.

The accused are Lukas Mekondjo Nekwiyu, also known as 'Mane'; Mateus Mewiliko Abner, known as 'Cota Smith'; Petrus Nadhipite Uusiku; Nghilifavali Johannes, nicknamed 'Giver'; Petrus Shikwaya, also referred to as 'Kuxa' and Ondangwa-based medical doctor Fillemon ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile.

State prosecutor Yeukai Kangira told the court on Monday that the charge against Fillemon ‘Fly’ Nakanduungile had been amended to murder with common purpose, with a second count of conspiracy to commit murder.

Nakanduungile’s bail application was postponed to 16 February after presiding magistrate Mutwa Billy Lutaka was unavailable due to a lack of travel allowances to travel from Otjiwarongo, where he is based.

This marks the second postponement of the ruling for the same reason.

Kangira told the court that Lutaka had previously travelled twice at his own expense. She said the Office of the Judiciary is finalising his daily subsistence allowance, as well as transport and accommodation claims, to ensure his availability.

The magistrate has indicated he is ready to travel at any time to deliver the ruling once the funds are secured.

Nakanduungile remains in custody at Grootfontein Correctional Facility pending the bail ruling. Magistrate Veruka Njembo presided over Monday’s proceedings.