35 years for murder

Domestic violence is regarded as an aggravating factor when imposing sentences. This offence is prevalent in Namibia and our society craves for the assistance of our courts in protecting our women and children as this offence has reached a crisis point. These were the words of Judge Nate Ndauendapo when he imposed a 35-year term of imprisonment on the 52-year-old Paulus Ruben for murder with direct intent.“The clear and unequivocal message which should resonate from the courts in Namibia is that crimes involving domestic violence are not tolerated and that sentences would be appropriately severe,” the judge said. Ruben was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Magritha Beukes, 41. Beukes was found dead in the house she was sharing with Ruben at Bahnhof close to Rehoboth. Ruben had run away after the murder.The judge said Ruben had hit Beukes with an unknown object on the head and then ran. He added that Beukes succumbed to the blunt force trauma which resulted in internal bleeding.“The accused is a first offender. However both the seriousness of the offence he committed and the interest of society, calls for a lengthy sentence,” Ndauendapo emphasised.In his judgement Ndauendapo had found that the state had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Ruben was the person who murdered Beukes. He was arrested eight days later at a farm about 50km from Bahnhof. State prosecutor Ethel Ndlovu during the proceedings that Ruben has been in custody for the past five years but this cannot be counted automatically in his favour.“The moral blameworthiness of the accused is that he has never been remorseful throughout the trial,” Ndlovu argued.She stressed the accused did not show remorse and thereby did not take the court into his confidence. She argued that is why it would be difficult for the court to consider mercy in his favour.“Mercy should go both ways. The accused did not show any mercy to the deceased,” she maintained.State-funded defence lawyer Hipura Ujaha on behalf of his client informed the court that the accused has been in custody for five years as his application for bail was refused.According to him, a lengthy custodial sentence will break his client who is now 52.“With a custodial sentence must be an element of mercy,” he pleaded and added that sentence above 30 years will amount to life imprisonment. Ndauendapo disagreed and imposed 35 years. FRED GOEIEMAN

35 years for murder

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-15

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35 years for murder

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-15

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