State Advocate Esekiel Ipinge yesterday urged Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Alfred Siboleka to impose life sentences on the men convicted of murdering renowned stock theft investigator Wilfred ‘Major’ Hiambepo Kazeurua.

Ipinge also recommended a sentence of 15 years for the stock theft conviction and five years for defeating the course of justice.

Judge Siboleka had earlier convicted Stockley Kauejao (51), Matheu Kakururume (38) and Muvare Kaporo (32) of murder, stock theft and defeating the course of justice. 

A fourth accused, Afas Kamutjemo, was convicted only on the stock theft and defeating charges.

Ipinge described the murder as “brutal and undignified,” saying the accused disrespected Kazeurua’s body by burning it beyond recognition, burying it in an animal burrow and covering it with sand. 

“This is brutal, violent and irrational conduct – a behaviour one does not expect from a fellow human being,” he said. 

“It makes the accused a danger to society. The court has a duty to remove them (from society) permanently,” he added.

Ipinge stressed that the accused’s actions deprived Kazeurua’s family of the dignity of a proper burial, thereby heightening their moral blameworthiness.

He noted that Kauejao aggravated the family’s trauma by addressing them through an elder, who had only positive words to say about him. 

“This arrogance deserves to be met with the harshest punishment available in our jurisdiction – life imprisonment,” Ipinge said.

He rejected the proposed sentences by the defence as “a mockery of justice” and urged the court not to entertain them.

Defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji, representing Kakururume and Kaporo, suggested a 20-year sentence for murder, with 12 years suspended, along with five and three years for the stock theft and defeating convictions, respectively. 

He also proposed that the sentences be served concurrently.

Salomo Kanyemba, appearing for Kauejao, asked the court to consider a sentence that would offer his client hope of eventual reintegration into society. 

He argued that the offences were interrelated and that any sentence should be “fair, just and blended with a measure of mercy”.

Jan Wessels, representing Kamutjemo, pleaded for leniency, stating that his client – a first offender at the age of 51 – had been a productive and exemplary citizen. 

He argued that Kamutjemo was a suitable candidate for rehabilitation outside of prison and requested a suspended sentence with a fine.

Judge Siboleka reserved judgment on sentencing to 11 July at 10h00.

The convictions relate to the murder of Kazeurua on 28 December 2012 in the Gobabis district. 

The State claims that the accused unlawfully and intentionally stole 15 head of cattle valued at N$75 000 from Sacheus Mwashekeleh. 

They allegedly removed the ear tags from the animals and mingled them with other cattle on a separate farm.

The accused remain in custody at the trial-awaiting section of the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

– rrouth@nepc.com.na