Former teacher Patrick Geingob, accused of murdering his wife, has managed to get together the money he needs to pay his psychiatrist to testify on his behalf.
He is accused of killing Merentha Geingos on 14 April 2019 by stabbing her at least 12 times with a kitchen knife at their house in Okuryangava in front of their children.
The Department of Legal Aid in the justice ministry has refused to foot the bill of N$43 000 that Dr Reinhardt Sieberhagen is charging to testify in the murder trial.
Sieberhagen diagnosed Geingob with major depressive disorder, a mental defect. However, during a court-sanctioned mental observation, Dr Hileni Ndjaba, a State psychiatrist, declared him fit to stand trial, as he is able to follow court proceedings and offer a defence.
Geingob claims he suffered from non-pathological incapacity during the attack caused by his intake of alcohol while experiencing a depressive mood attack.
He said this makes him unaccountable for his actions at that moment.
Geingob pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and 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 claimed that he is not guilty of the first two charges because he suffered from major depressive disorder during the incident.
With regards to the assault charges, he said he is not guilty due to the vagueness of the dates of the alleged incidents.
Geingob said he will not provide a plea explanation.
The State is alleging that he slapped his wife in 2011 with the intent to cause her serious bodily harm.
He is also accused of slapping Ragel Boois in the face.
During Geingob’s failed bail hearing, the court was informed that he arrived home late that night and had an argument with Geingos.
This resulted in him stabbing her.
Court documents state that Geingos and their children were asleep on the night in question when Geingob arrived and loudly demanded entrance into the residence.
Geingos opened the door, voiced her displeasure at his behaviour, and went to the bedroom.
Geingob then allegedly went to the kitchen, armed himself with a knife and attacked her. People who resided on the same erf managed to remove the knife from him.
He then allegedly went to a friend’s place, where he got rid of the clothes.
Thereafter, Geingob handed himself over to the police.
He has been in custody since.
Geingob (40) had already undergone two mental observations, which declared him fit to stand trial.
However, a private psychiatrist found that Geingob suffered from a mental defect when he butchered his wife.
Sieberhagen is scheduled to testify on Geingob’s mental capacity during the attack on Wednesday next week.
Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Herman January is presiding over the matter.
The State is represented by Seredine Jacobs.
Geingob is represented by Jermaine Muchali on the instructions of Legal Aid.