Witnesses dodge Likuwa trial
The constituency councillor's wife, who laid charges against him after a Christmas party altercation, has also refused to testify against him.
Kenya Kambowe
NDIYONA
Warrants of arrest have been issued for three key State witnesses who failed to turn up at court to testify against Swapo's Ndiyona constituency councillor Eugene Likuwa, who stands against of assaulting and threatening to kill his wife during Christmas Day festivities last year.
Likuwa's trial commenced on Tuesday in the Ndiyona Periodic Court where he appeared before Magistrate Sonia Samupofu.
He stands accused of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and another count of assault by threat. Likuwa pleaded not guilty. The names of the three witnesses who didn't turn up to testify were not disclosed in court.
Wife refuses to testify
Meanwhile, his wife, Clementine Mpande, refused to testify, telling the court the situation has affected their children, who she claimed have been shunned by the community.
The case stems from an incident that took place on 25 December 2019 at Arevesheneka village in the Kavango East Region, when the couple fought in full view of partygoers at a local shebeen.
A Namibian Sun investigation at the time found that a quarrel erupted because Mpande was unhappy with how her husband interacted with female patrons at the party.
She was so furious that she went to sit alone, witnesses told Namibian Sun. She was later convinced to rejoin the group.
Brother-sister tag team
“When the wife returned to the group, she said certain things to the ladies who were in attendance and then they went to report it to the councillor,” a witness said.
Likuwa then confronted his wife, and an altercation ensued.
It is further alleged that Likuwa's sister, who had arrived at the party with the couple, joined the fray and had a physical altercation with Mpande.
It was at this point that Likuwa allegedly assaulted his wife, after which he drove off.
Slapped, punched
According to the police report, Likuwa allegedly slapped and punched his wife.
A source said Likuwa's sister went to the police the next day and opened a case of assault against Mpande for slapping her.
Mpande then retaliated by opening a case against her husband.
They were both subsequently arrested, with Mpande released on a warning, while Likuwa was granted N$5 000 bail.
Likuwa is represented by Beatrix Bianca Boois of BB Boois Attorneys.
NDIYONA
Warrants of arrest have been issued for three key State witnesses who failed to turn up at court to testify against Swapo's Ndiyona constituency councillor Eugene Likuwa, who stands against of assaulting and threatening to kill his wife during Christmas Day festivities last year.
Likuwa's trial commenced on Tuesday in the Ndiyona Periodic Court where he appeared before Magistrate Sonia Samupofu.
He stands accused of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and another count of assault by threat. Likuwa pleaded not guilty. The names of the three witnesses who didn't turn up to testify were not disclosed in court.
Wife refuses to testify
Meanwhile, his wife, Clementine Mpande, refused to testify, telling the court the situation has affected their children, who she claimed have been shunned by the community.
The case stems from an incident that took place on 25 December 2019 at Arevesheneka village in the Kavango East Region, when the couple fought in full view of partygoers at a local shebeen.
A Namibian Sun investigation at the time found that a quarrel erupted because Mpande was unhappy with how her husband interacted with female patrons at the party.
She was so furious that she went to sit alone, witnesses told Namibian Sun. She was later convinced to rejoin the group.
Brother-sister tag team
“When the wife returned to the group, she said certain things to the ladies who were in attendance and then they went to report it to the councillor,” a witness said.
Likuwa then confronted his wife, and an altercation ensued.
It is further alleged that Likuwa's sister, who had arrived at the party with the couple, joined the fray and had a physical altercation with Mpande.
It was at this point that Likuwa allegedly assaulted his wife, after which he drove off.
Slapped, punched
According to the police report, Likuwa allegedly slapped and punched his wife.
A source said Likuwa's sister went to the police the next day and opened a case of assault against Mpande for slapping her.
Mpande then retaliated by opening a case against her husband.
They were both subsequently arrested, with Mpande released on a warning, while Likuwa was granted N$5 000 bail.
Likuwa is represented by Beatrix Bianca Boois of BB Boois Attorneys.
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