Iuze Mukube
State Advocate Anna Amukugo last Friday implored the court to convict a man accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, citing compelling circumstantial evidence and own admissions.
The pre-sentencing proceedings took place before Judge Claudia Claasen on 9 May 2025.
It is alleged that Lolo Kambwela (32) stabbed his then-girlfriend, Nghimushima Haufiku (19) at Otjiwarongo on 13 February 2022 51 times with a knife after an argument.
It is alleged that he then took the knife and a cell- phone they shared, locked the victim’s body inside the shack with a padlock, and threw away the key and the knife to frustrate the police in their investigations.
Kambwela faces one count of murder, and defeating and obstructing the course of justice or attempt thereof.
Amukugo highlighted evidence from witness Kamati Muramba, who testified that Kambwela went to his house on the day of the incident, and told him he had beaten up a man he found at his girlfriend’s house – not knowing if he was dead or alive.
Additionally, he allegedly told him that he would either kill himself, or hand himself over to the police.
The witness said after the accused left his house, he called him on his cellphone to check on his girlfriend, as he assaulted and stabbed her with a knife.
Amukugo argued that it was no coincidence that after the accused reported himself to the police, he led the officers to the crime scene and even pointed out the exact location of the body, hidden under the bed.
She said the admissions by the accused and evidence of leading the police to the shack where the body was are in themselves an admission to the offence, and not solicited by the police.
She added that, although there was no eyewitness to the murder, the accused confessed to witnesses, and revealed details that only the perpetrator could have known.
Amukugo argued that what is worrisome is that the accused did not sustain any injuries on him from his alleged fight with the man he claimed he found in the victim’s house.
She highlighted the element of intention, pointing to forensic evidence that the victim was stabbed 51 times with a knife in the chest, neck and abdomen, all of which are vital organs.
“For him [the accused] to direct his assault to these vulnerable spots indicates that there was direct intention on his part,” she argued.
Amukugo said the State has proven both charges beyond reasonable doubt, and Kambwela should be convicted of murder with direct intent, as well as attempt to defeat the course of justice.
Defence counsel Kenneth Siambango disputed the credibility of the State’s case.
He said there is no direct evidence linking the accused to the murder.
The lawyer said Kambwela’s report to the police was not an admission to the offence, which is a requirement.
He added that police investigations never went further to prove that the accused called Muramba to tell him that he assaulted and stabbed the victim.
Siambango said the State failed to prove its case on the count of murder.
He argued that even with the State’s concession to reduce the second count to an attempt to defeat the course of justice, there was no direct evidence for that charge too.
Judge Claudia Claasen reserved her judgment to 11 July 2025.