Man accused of killing daughter and son remains in custody

A 33-year-old man accused of killing his four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son by allegedly breaking their necks remains in custody after his case was postponed on Monday.

Thomas Sheya made a brief appearance before magistrate Nelao Ya France in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court, where the matter was postponed to 5 August for further investigations.

The State, represented by prosecutor Tony Bock, told the court that investigations are ongoing, with key laboratory results still outstanding.

Sheya faces two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his children, Ruusa (4) and Andreas (2), whose bodies were discovered near the Nameya water point at Onkani.

During his first court appearance last year, Sheya was denied bail and indicated that he would apply for legal aid.

The case was postponed to 23 March pending postmortem results and further police investigations.

According to police reports, Sheya travelled from Windhoek and returned home with the children on 12 September 2025.

Police said that on Sunday, 14 September, he allegedly told family members he was taking the children to a pick-up point.

However, he later sent text messages to relatives and the children’s mother in which he allegedly confessed to killing them.

The children’s bodies were subsequently found abandoned near the water point.

It is further alleged that Sheya fled the scene after the incident but handed himself over to police at Okatope the following morning.

During Monday’s proceedings, the court was informed that the Legal Aid Directorate has appointed a lawyer, identified only as Mr Kandara, to represent Sheya.

However, the lawyer was absent and reportedly communicated his unavailability via text message. Sheya confirmed that he had only received the legal aid appointment letter on the day of the hearing.

The State continues to oppose bail.

Ya France ordered that Sheya remain in custody at the Ondangwa holding facility until his next court appearance as investigations into the matter continue.