Break-up behind brutal killing

Immanuel Kandovazu, whose sister was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, has testified in the High Court that he heard her breaking up with the accused. He testified this past Friday that he was at home when the accused Richard Hange, 27, came to their house looking for his sister on September 27, 2011. Hange was initially told she was not there, but returned later when Liza Kandovazu came home. According to Immanuel, the accused and his sister spoke in the bedroom, while he sat in the dining room. “I heard her telling the accused that she does not want him anymore,” Immanuel said. He added that because the atmosphere in the house was fine, he decided to leave. It was after this that the State alleges an argument erupted between Liza and the accused and he allegedly hit her with a blunt object on her head, before trying to strangle her. He also allegedly stabbed her twice with a knife. She died as a result of the stab wounds and other injuries. Immanuel said he was later called by his friends who informed him that his sister was being beaten. He rushed home and found the door locked. Liza’s mother, Precilla Kandovazu, testified that the accused had called her on her cellphone. “He spoke about my daughter and asked for forgiveness for what had happened,” she said. A neighbour, Immanuel Goa-Aib, testified that on the day of the murder he was busy building a house about 30 metres from the deceased’s residence. He testified that a woman passing by had asked in where Liza’s brother was, because she had heard screams coming from their house. “I ran outside and saw Liza’s brother in the street and informed him what I had heard from the woman,” he said. He said they ran to the deceased’s house, but found the door locked. Liza’s brother then went to look for an axe with which to open the door. “The main door got opened, but I can’t say who opened it. Liza’s brother run into the house, but came back immediately holding his head in his hands.” Goa-Aib said the accused came out of the house with a knife in his neck and when he tried to talk blood oozed from his cut wounds. He said accused went back into house and he shortly afterward found him lying on the kitchen floor. “I did not see the deceased. I came out of the house and saw that lot of people had gathered. I was confused,” he testified. The trial continues before Judge Christie Liebenberg. Jacky ?Eixab is the prosecutor, while Hipura Ujaha appears for the accused WINDHOEK FRED GOEIEMAN