Jealous rage sinks former top cop

Lazarus Oscar Awaseb, 50, formerly the head of the Epako police's crime investigation unit at Gobabis, was found guilty of murder yesterday by Judge Dinnah Usiku in the Windhoek High Court.Awaseb shot and killed Odilo Rathebe Motonane (18) on 22 March 2016. The motive for the murder was jealousy, as Motonane was in a relationship with Mildred Hoases, who was also Awaseb's girlfriend at the time. Hoases was also shot at the time but survived.During the trial, chilling testimony was led. A fight had ensued between Awaseb and Hoases over her alleged demands for money.In the High Court, he testified she told him, “Jou t***l, wat wil jy vir my sê?” He added she continued to utter profanities when he refused to give her money and that was why the fight ensued.He had returned to her home to sort out the argument.“When I went to her room I wanted to talk to her to harmonise our relationship,” he said, while denying he went there to kill Motonane.He said he did not know the young man was there.Awaseb said Motonane confronted him when he arrived. He told the court Motonane was Hoases' former boyfriend.An altercation ensued and in the process, Motonane was killed with Awaseb's service pistol.Awaseb shot Motonane in the back and the State charged that the shooting was motivated by jealousy after Awaseb found Motonane with his girlfriend.The relationship between the two seemed to have been fraught with problems.Prior to the killing, Awaseb allegedly damaged a home theatre system, DVD player and television set owned by Hoases sometime between 18 and 22 March. In this regard, he faced a charge of malicious damage to property.Cliff Litubezi prosecuted, while Miese Tjiture appeared for Awaseb.STAFF REPORTER

Jealous rage sinks former top cop

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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Jealous rage sinks former top cop

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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