Massacre accused under observation
Jesaya Gabriel Chuhunda, accused of bludgeoning to death five members of his family, is being evaluated by psychiatrists in Windhoek.
Murder accused Jesaya Gabriel Chuhunda remains under psychiatric observation while the police wait for the DNA results from the scene of the massacre at Rundu in which five people were bludgeoned to death.
Chuhunda's case was postponed to 24 April in his absence yesterday, while he remains under the observation of doctors in Windhoek to determine his state of mind and the way forward for the case.
The police continue to wait for the DNA results, the Rundu Magistrate's Court heard yesterday, and the police investigation into the deadly attack on Chuhunda's family, including his grandmother, mother and three nephews, continues.
The court proceedings also noted that Chuhunda's application for legal aid remains outstanding, although he was advised to apply at his first court appearance in July last year.
Chuhunda was arrested in July after he allegedly killed his grandmother, Ndongo Ntumba (77); his mother, Ndara Elizabeth Mpande (46); and his three nephews, Musenge Petrus Muruti (6), Hausiku Daniel Kapumburu (4) and Musenge Elias Tjingelesu (3).
The murders took place on a weekend in the Ndama informal settlement at Rundu.
According to the police, Chuhunda allegedly became violent after he was refused a loan by his sister.
The police report which stated that the “motive behind the suspect's actions is allegedly that he demanded to be given money earlier during the day”.
“However, the money was not given to him and as a result he assaulted the sister. The sister went to report the matter to the police and that agitated the suspect, who then assaulted his family, killing them instantly with a stick.”
It was alleged that Chuhunda was a drug user and experienced psychiatric problems.
Apart from the uproar relating to the brutality of the murders, the incident sparked countrywide outrage when it emerged that although the family had reportedly approached the police for assistance over the weekend, fearing the man's threats, no help was provided, allegedly due to a lack of police vehicles.
An internal probe was launched and several officers were charged with negligence.
JANA-MARI SMITH
Chuhunda's case was postponed to 24 April in his absence yesterday, while he remains under the observation of doctors in Windhoek to determine his state of mind and the way forward for the case.
The police continue to wait for the DNA results, the Rundu Magistrate's Court heard yesterday, and the police investigation into the deadly attack on Chuhunda's family, including his grandmother, mother and three nephews, continues.
The court proceedings also noted that Chuhunda's application for legal aid remains outstanding, although he was advised to apply at his first court appearance in July last year.
Chuhunda was arrested in July after he allegedly killed his grandmother, Ndongo Ntumba (77); his mother, Ndara Elizabeth Mpande (46); and his three nephews, Musenge Petrus Muruti (6), Hausiku Daniel Kapumburu (4) and Musenge Elias Tjingelesu (3).
The murders took place on a weekend in the Ndama informal settlement at Rundu.
According to the police, Chuhunda allegedly became violent after he was refused a loan by his sister.
The police report which stated that the “motive behind the suspect's actions is allegedly that he demanded to be given money earlier during the day”.
“However, the money was not given to him and as a result he assaulted the sister. The sister went to report the matter to the police and that agitated the suspect, who then assaulted his family, killing them instantly with a stick.”
It was alleged that Chuhunda was a drug user and experienced psychiatric problems.
Apart from the uproar relating to the brutality of the murders, the incident sparked countrywide outrage when it emerged that although the family had reportedly approached the police for assistance over the weekend, fearing the man's threats, no help was provided, allegedly due to a lack of police vehicles.
An internal probe was launched and several officers were charged with negligence.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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