A member of the Namibian Police described the scene at a house in Okuryangava, Windhoek, where a woman was butchered by her husband, as a “bloody mess”.
Testifying in court on Wednesday, Warrant Officer Immanuel Shilamo of the Scene of Crime Division told Windhoek High Court Judge Herman January that upon entering the house shared by murder accused Patrick Geingob and his wife Merentha Geingos, he observed blood stains leading from the sitting room to the bedroom.
Geingob, a former teacher, allegedly stabbed his wife 12 times, resulting in her death. He pleaded not guilty to murder, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, one count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and one count of common assault, at the start of his trial.
He pleaded not guilty to the first two charges due to a diagnosis of major depression syndrome during the incident. He also pleaded not guilty to assault due to the vagueness of the dates of the alleged incidents. He further said he would not provide the court with a plea explanation, and would remain silent.
Shilamo told the judge that he was summoned by the investigating officer to take photographs of the crime scene. Upon arrival, they conducted a walk-through, during which he observed several bloodstains. He also found a bloodstained kitchen knife in the corridor of the two-bedroomed house.
He told the court he was accompanied by the investigating officer and a relative of the deceased, who pointed out the scenes for him. In addition, he found two bloodstained pillows behind some sofas in the sitting room.
Shilamo further testified that he was later called to another house near the crime scene, where he was shown blood-soaked clothes in a bucket, which he also photographed.
Geingob (39) had already undergone two mental evaluations, after which he was declared fit to stand trial, although a private psychiatrist found that he suffered from a mental defect when he attacked his wife.
The State alleges that in 2011, Geingob slapped his wife with the intent to cause her grievous bodily harm. He also allegedly slapped one Ragel Boois in the face. It is further alleged that he killed his wife in the kitchen of their marital home in Okuryangava, stabbing her with a knife 12 times in front of their children on 14 April 2019. Geingos was transported to Katutura State Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries upon arrival.
During Geingob’s failed bail hearing, the court was informed that he arrived home late that night and had an argument with Geingos, which resulted in him stabbing her.
Court documents state that Geingos and their children were asleep when Geingob arrived and loudly demanded to be allowed entry into the house. When Geingos opened the door, she expressed displeasure at his behaviour, and then went to the bedroom.
Geingob then allegedly went to the kitchen where he armed himself with a knife and attacked Geingos. People residing on the same erf managed to disarm him, after which he went to a friend’s place where he removed the clothes he was wearing.
He then handed himself over to the police and has been in custody since.
The State is represented by Seredine Jacobs, while Geingob is represented by Jermaine Muchali on instructions from Legal Aid. The matter continues today.