PG must decide on Gertze - cops
The police said they have not yet received any communication from Anittha Gertze, the wife of Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) CEO Franz Gertze, about withdrawing an attempted murder charge against her spouse.
Khomas police crime investigations coordinator Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas, however, said a gender-based violence matter cannot be withdrawn at police level.
“It has to go to court, where the prosecutor-general will make a decision,” he said.
Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa could not be reached for comment.
Agas added that should the matter be withdrawn, the police will still proceed with the other charges against Gertze.
These include handling a firearm within a municipal area.
Last month Gertze was arrested after he reportedly shot his wife six times in the lower part of her body. Shortly after the incident a family spokesperson told the media that the 29-year-old was out of danger after surgery to remove the bullets.
According to the police, Gertze explained he heard intruders walking into his house and he randomly opened fire in their common bedroom with his 7.7mm rifle.
The police at the time told the media that a suicide note, believed to be written by the Gertze, was found in the house.
Attempts to get hold of Anittha yesterday were unsuccessful.
The Namibian reported on Wednesday that Anittha had made a statement to the police this week that her husband was not trying to kill her, but that the shots were fired in a tussle for the gun.
It was further reported that she was attempting to prevent her husband from committing suicide, and got shot in the process.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
Khomas police crime investigations coordinator Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas, however, said a gender-based violence matter cannot be withdrawn at police level.
“It has to go to court, where the prosecutor-general will make a decision,” he said.
Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa could not be reached for comment.
Agas added that should the matter be withdrawn, the police will still proceed with the other charges against Gertze.
These include handling a firearm within a municipal area.
Last month Gertze was arrested after he reportedly shot his wife six times in the lower part of her body. Shortly after the incident a family spokesperson told the media that the 29-year-old was out of danger after surgery to remove the bullets.
According to the police, Gertze explained he heard intruders walking into his house and he randomly opened fire in their common bedroom with his 7.7mm rifle.
The police at the time told the media that a suicide note, believed to be written by the Gertze, was found in the house.
Attempts to get hold of Anittha yesterday were unsuccessful.
The Namibian reported on Wednesday that Anittha had made a statement to the police this week that her husband was not trying to kill her, but that the shots were fired in a tussle for the gun.
It was further reported that she was attempting to prevent her husband from committing suicide, and got shot in the process.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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