Alleged killer of Finnish national denies guilt

The man accused of shooting a Finnish national in an apparent fit of road rage outside a Windhoek bar pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice at the start of his trial yesterday.

Rodney Shaningua is accused of murdering Ronni Uolevi, 42, at around 00:30 in August 2015. He allegedly fired nine shots at Uolevi's car.

Uolevi died instantly outside a popular hangout spot in Windhoek's Southern Industrial Area.

In his plea explanation Shaningua claimed that he had acted in self-defence and that his action was lawful under the circumstances.

“I had to fire shots at the deceased to repel an unlawful attack which had then commenced and was threatening my life,” Shaningua said in the plea explanation, read by his lawyer, Slysken Makando.

He alleged that Uolevi had bumped his car and when he disembarked to discuss the accident, Uolevi reversed his car and began driving towards him at what he perceived to be a high speed.

“I could hear the sound of revs of his car and tyres while he was driving towards me. As a result I was overwhelmed by fear of being bumped or killed by him and I subsequently pulled my pistol from my waist, cocked it and began shooting in the direction of his vehicle,” Shaningua said.

Shaningua admitted the date and place of the incident, the identity of the deceased, and that he had shot the deceased with his pistol and caused his death.

The trial continues before Judge Christie Liebenberg. Karin Engelbrecht is the prosecutor.

FRED GOEIEMAN