Woman jailed for killing couple in arson attack

High Court Judge Claudia Claasen yesterday convicted Mecthilde Karomo (33) of setting a house on fire while her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend were asleep inside nearly four years ago.

Leonard Haupindi Kadubuli and Anastasia Ihemba Matende died in December 2022 after the fire engulfed a house in Windhoek’s Okahandja Park informal settlement.

Karomo was found guilty on two counts of murder and one count of arson. She was, however, found not guilty on an alternative charge of malicious damage to property.

In her ruling, the court found that Karomo acted out of anger and showed a reckless disregard for human life when she set Kadubuli’s house alight.

-Rita Kakelo