The alleged murderer of 18-year-old Paulina Nghidinitango, who was strangled to death, denied guilt on charges of murder, rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances when he appeared in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.
Moses Ndiiweda Puleni, 29, informed Judge Nate Ndauendapo he would not disclose his legal defence and it would become apparent during the trial.
His state-funded lawyer Mbanga Siyomundji confirmed the plea and said it was in accordance with his instructions.
It is alleged Puleni killed Nghidinitango by strangling her after he had raped her.
Puleni was at the time a security guard at the premises where Nghidinitango worked as a bar lady.
Information provided at the time suggested Puleni and the deceased were involved romantically.
It is alleged Puleni and the deceased were together at the shebeen in Albert Conradie Street in Katutura on December 31, 2011 when he attacked her and bound her up with pieces of cable and/or wire.
He then proceeded to rape her wherefter he killed her by strangling her with his hands and/or a piece of wire and/or smothering her with a towel.
He then robbed the shebeen of N$69 000 in cash, two cellphones, a pair of spectacles, three wallets, an unknown amount of liquor, an unknown amount of cigarettes, MTC airtime vouchers, a Nokia cellphone charger, two bundles of keys and two identity documents belonging to the deceased and/or Josef Siwombe and/or Matine Siwombe, it is alleged.
Puleni, who hails from the Ohangwena Region, was arrested three days after the gruesome discovery at Damara location in the Katutura area.
Yesterday State Advocate Dominic Lisulo called the police officers who compiled the sketch plan of the crime scene as well as the officer who took the pictures at the scene.
They all described the scene as “horrific” with blood everywhere and the naked body of the deceased lying on the cement floor with her panties around her knees.