Otjomuise murder has sequel in court
The trial of a 40-year-old man accused of having killed Cathy Marlene Gatonye in Windhoek's Otjomuise area about three years ago has resumed in the Windhoek High Court.
Elwen Gawaxab allegedly committed the offence during the period between 18 and 21 August 2015.
He is further accused of attempted murder in that he in the same period intentionally assaulted Thalitha Patricia Khai-Gu Mungunda by hitting her with fists and a bottle in the face and on her body and kicking her with shoed feet.
The accused allegedly stabbed the complainant with a broken bottle in the face, head and grabbing her, pulling by her hair braids with the intent to murder her.
In the summary of substantial facts it is said that the accused during the morning hours of Wednesday, 19 August 2015 met Gatonye and her friends at the Caprivi Bar in Otjomuise. He allegedly offered them N$200 to be driven to the Gammams Service Station in Khomasdal where he filled the car with petrol and withdrew money from an ATM.
The group drove back and on their journey an argument started and later fight ensued between him, the deceased and the complainant in the case.
The car was brought to a standstill and he continued to assault the complainant, who later managed to run away from him.
Gawaxab allegedly assaulted the deceased by grabbing her by her braids, hitting and beating her with fists and stones on the body and head and kicking her over her body and head and stabbing her with a broken bottle. Gatonye died on 21 August 2015 in a hospital from blunt force trauma to the head.
The lawyer of the accused, Mbanga Siyomuinji, on Wednesday told the court that his instructions were that his client maintained that he fell asleep while they were driving from the service station in Khomasdal.
“He woke up in the bush in the area of the Otjomuise Fire Station. His wallet as well as cellphone was missing. However at a later stage he traced his whereabouts and went home,” he said.
The trial continues before Judge Alfred Siboleka. Cliff Litubezi is appearing for the State.
FRED GOEIEMAN
Elwen Gawaxab allegedly committed the offence during the period between 18 and 21 August 2015.
He is further accused of attempted murder in that he in the same period intentionally assaulted Thalitha Patricia Khai-Gu Mungunda by hitting her with fists and a bottle in the face and on her body and kicking her with shoed feet.
The accused allegedly stabbed the complainant with a broken bottle in the face, head and grabbing her, pulling by her hair braids with the intent to murder her.
In the summary of substantial facts it is said that the accused during the morning hours of Wednesday, 19 August 2015 met Gatonye and her friends at the Caprivi Bar in Otjomuise. He allegedly offered them N$200 to be driven to the Gammams Service Station in Khomasdal where he filled the car with petrol and withdrew money from an ATM.
The group drove back and on their journey an argument started and later fight ensued between him, the deceased and the complainant in the case.
The car was brought to a standstill and he continued to assault the complainant, who later managed to run away from him.
Gawaxab allegedly assaulted the deceased by grabbing her by her braids, hitting and beating her with fists and stones on the body and head and kicking her over her body and head and stabbing her with a broken bottle. Gatonye died on 21 August 2015 in a hospital from blunt force trauma to the head.
The lawyer of the accused, Mbanga Siyomuinji, on Wednesday told the court that his instructions were that his client maintained that he fell asleep while they were driving from the service station in Khomasdal.
“He woke up in the bush in the area of the Otjomuise Fire Station. His wallet as well as cellphone was missing. However at a later stage he traced his whereabouts and went home,” he said.
The trial continues before Judge Alfred Siboleka. Cliff Litubezi is appearing for the State.
FRED GOEIEMAN
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article