Shiweda murder accused grilled over bank transactions

One of six men accused in the attack and murder of Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda denied in court on Wednesday that he knew a man who allegedly paid him N$35 000 last year.

Petrus Shikwaya (22) was testifying during the continuation of his bail hearing in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court, where state prosecutor Yeukai Kangira questioned him about financial transactions linked to his bank account.

Shikwaya told Kangira he did not know Nelson Kazombiaze, despite State claims that he had received N$35 000 from him.

Shiweda died in February after she was shot and doused with a corrosive substance in front of her home in October last year. The murder was allegedly orchestrated over a case she was handling.

Shikwaya faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. He is currently applying for bail.

Kangira yesterday put it to Shikwaya that he had allegedly been instructed by his uncle, Abner Matheus, to collect the N$35 000 from Kazombiaze, which Shikwaya denied.

Kazombiaze is a co-accused in a fraud case in Omuthiya involving Matheus, who is alleged to have masterminded Shiweda's murder.

Not guilty

Shikwaya denied conspiring to murder Shiweda.

“I did not conspire to commit murder. I only sent money on the instructions of Abner Matheus,” he told the court.

He also told the court he would not “go down for something I did not do”.

Authorities believe Shiweda's murder was linked to her decision to deny Matheus bail in the Omuthiya fraud matter while he was in police custody.

Yesterday's cross-examination formed part of a broader enquiry into several transactions involving Shikwaya’s bank account and that of his grandmother, Hilma Uutsi.

On Wednesday, Shikwaya said money deposited into his account by Uutsi was intended for the purchase of stock for a business she operates in Otjinene.

Acid accusations

The prosecution further alleged that Shikwaya purchased a Suzuki vehicle as a gift for Lukas Nekwiyu, who is allegedly linked to the procurement of acid used in the attack.

The vehicle was later involved in an accident in northern Namibia.

Shikwaya denied the allegation, saying he bought the vehicle after being approached by another uncle, Abner Samuel, who intended to use it for a Yango business.

Kangira also alleged that Shikwaya provided fuel money for a vehicle that transported the acid to Ondangwa.

Samuel is separately accused of fraudulently claiming N$253 000 from Sanlam, which the State alleges was channelled through Shikwaya’s bank account.

The State further alleges that more than N$1 million linked to a Sanlam fraud scheme passed through the same account.

Shikwaya maintained that he was unaware the account was being used for criminal activity and said that while Matheus used it, he had no knowledge of unlawful transactions.

“I will not go down for something I did not do,” he repeated.

Follow the money

The focus on Shikwaya’s finances followed allegations raised by the State when his bail hearing commenced in April.

At the time, Kangira told the court that Shikwaya allegedly owns five properties across northern Namibia.

The State alleges the properties were purchased on his behalf by Matheus.

Kangira told the court police confiscated a vehicle allegedly bought for Shikwaya by Matheus and that the State has evidence suggesting Matheus financed the acquisition of the properties while Shikwaya transported building materials from Windhoek to Oniipa. Shikwaya denied knowledge of the properties.

Shikwaya, who left school in 2022 and has never been formally employed, told the court he generated income by driving a taxi and by selling vehicles, second-hand laptops and cellphones.

He further claimed to be the sole owner of Money Chronicles FX Trading CC, which he said trades in second-hand vehicles.

Kangira also alleged that on 17 October last year, the day Shiweda was attacked, Shikwaya transferred N$4 950 to co-accused Petrus Uusiku.

“If I sent the money, it was on instruction of Abner Matheus,” Shikwaya told the court during earlier proceedings.

The court further heard allegations that Matheus used a cellphone SIM card registered in Shikwaya’s name while in police custody at Ondangwa.

The bail hearing continues on Thursday. Namibian Sun understands that Shikwaya plans to call Matheus as a witness in support of his bail application.