Murder accused a no-show at trial
A 50-year-old man from Karasburg, who is accused of killing his girlfriend, failed to turn up at the start of his trial where he also faces other charges, including defeating the course of justice, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault in the High Court in Windhoek.
Yesterday, his lawyer Milton Engelbrecht was in the dark on the whereabouts of his client, August van Wyk.
He told the court he had had a long consultation with Van Wyk on Sunday.
“I consulted with him on Sunday.
“This morning I tried to contact him on his mobile number as well as on that of his friend but I failed to get a response,” Engelbrecht informed the court.
Judge Nate Ndauendapo, at the request of the State Advocate Cliff Litubezi, issued a warrant of arrest against Van Wyk and declared his bail provisionally cancelled and forfeited to the state.
Van Wyk is accused of murdering Katrina Waterboer on 1 February 2014 in the Westerkim-residential area of Karasburg.
It is alleged that he called Waterboer, who was on her way to church, and when she came to him he started kicking, beating and stoning her.
When she fell, he allegedly sat on top of her and continued his assault until he was removed by a witness.
On the count of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, the State alleges that he removed the clothes Waterboer was wearing at the time of her death and dressed her in different clothes.
He also immediately changed his clothes and hid them.
The State further alleges he washed Waterboer's body and placed her in his bed.
He perpetrated these acts in order to destroy evidence of the assault, it is alleged.
Van Wyk is also charged with common assault for allegedly slapping Josephine Fredericks in the face on 29 August 2014.
Judge Ndauendapo postponed the matter to today.
FRED GOEIEMAN
Yesterday, his lawyer Milton Engelbrecht was in the dark on the whereabouts of his client, August van Wyk.
He told the court he had had a long consultation with Van Wyk on Sunday.
“I consulted with him on Sunday.
“This morning I tried to contact him on his mobile number as well as on that of his friend but I failed to get a response,” Engelbrecht informed the court.
Judge Nate Ndauendapo, at the request of the State Advocate Cliff Litubezi, issued a warrant of arrest against Van Wyk and declared his bail provisionally cancelled and forfeited to the state.
Van Wyk is accused of murdering Katrina Waterboer on 1 February 2014 in the Westerkim-residential area of Karasburg.
It is alleged that he called Waterboer, who was on her way to church, and when she came to him he started kicking, beating and stoning her.
When she fell, he allegedly sat on top of her and continued his assault until he was removed by a witness.
On the count of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, the State alleges that he removed the clothes Waterboer was wearing at the time of her death and dressed her in different clothes.
He also immediately changed his clothes and hid them.
The State further alleges he washed Waterboer's body and placed her in his bed.
He perpetrated these acts in order to destroy evidence of the assault, it is alleged.
Van Wyk is also charged with common assault for allegedly slapping Josephine Fredericks in the face on 29 August 2014.
Judge Ndauendapo postponed the matter to today.
FRED GOEIEMAN
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