Accused denied bail in 'barbaric' murder of Rehoboth boy (11)

While the man accused of killing her young son appeared in court on Thursday, Rodensia Doëseb was still grappling with the horror of her only child's death.

"This was my son, my only child. How could anyone do this?" the grief-stricken mother asked, weeping as she spoke to Namibian Sun at a candlelight vigil on Thursday at the Oanob Bridge riverbed, where 11-year-old Gephardt Rodriques Doëseb's body was discovered.

Dickson Karomuine (33) made his first appearance in the Rehoboth Magistrate's Court, also on Thursday, where he was denied bail.

He is facing three charges in connection with the boy's death: murder read with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, defeating the ends of justice, and theft.

Magistrate Jeffrey Geiseb postponed the matter to 26 November for further investigations and legal aid. Karomuine will remain in custody at the Rehoboth Police Station pending his next appearance.

Rodensia said she was unaware of Karomuine's alleged involvement in the murder. She had been in a relationship with the accused, but they were not married.

"We are all just waiting for the police investigations to tell us something," she said.

Members of the Rehoboth community, including Doëseb's classmates and teachers from Acacia Primary School, joined family members at the riverbed to mourn the Grade 5 learner and call for justice.

Doëseb was reported missing after he failed to return home from school on 11 September. His body was discovered the following day by girls who were herding goats in the riverbed.

‘Barbaric’

On Thursday, the State, represented by Hilma Mwata, opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence, the risk of interference with investigations and witnesses, and the interests of the administration of justice.

The charge sheet describes the case as the “barbaric killing of [Karomuine's] girlfriend’s son”.

According to allegations presented in court, Karomuine was in a relationship with Doëseb’s mother.

The State alleges that on 11 September, Karomuine killed the 11-year-old by stabbing him on the left side of the neck with a knife and striking him on the head with a rock.

Karomuine also faces a theft charge relating to an alleged incident on 12 September at Block E in Rehoboth. He is accused of stealing two phones and clothes valued at N$1 720 belonging to a resident in the area.

Karomuine has not yet entered a plea to the charges.

Rehoboth police have said Karomuine was close to Doëseb and that his movements following the discovery of the boy’s body form part of the investigation.

“We are establishing an investigation. Why did he try to run, why did he escape? Maybe there is a reason, and we want to hear his side of the story,” police said.

Unimaginable loss

Doëseb's uncle, Richard Doëseb, said the family was struggling to come to terms with his death.

“I don’t even know what to say. None of us were expecting something like this to happen,” he told Namibian Sun.

“We have plans for him, and he was raised with dreams, dreams we have for him.”

Richard said Doëseb’s biological father had been informed of his death but was unable to attend the funeral.

“Yes, he is aware, but he is at the farm. He is unable to come here for the funeral or anything. He is just difficult to reach,” he said.

The family thanked the police and other authorities for their efforts in the investigation and the arrest made in connection with the case.

“We thank the local authorities for their efforts in apprehending the man who did this,” Richard said.

A family member who spoke at the vigil said the family was placing its faith in the justice system.

“I believe that the law will bring him to justice,” she said.

Family members, classmates and residents lit candles at the riverbed in memory of Doëseb and called for justice over his death.

NO BAIL: Murder accused Dickson Karomuine. Photo: Rita Kakelo