The brother of NamPower engineer Benjamin Silombela yesterday gave a chilling account of finding his sibling’s body at his Eros home, tied up, gagged, and covered with a duvet.
The testimony came as the Windhoek High Court continues the trial of Jorene Bezuidenhout and Muningandu Kaapama, accused of murdering Silombela after a drug session and stealing his belongings, including a Mercedes-Benz.
Tim Silombela told Windhoek High Court Judge Philanda Christiaan that after his brother’s car was found abandoned in Okahandja, the police called him, and he immediately began searching for him. When he and some friends arrived at the deceased’s house, they found it locked.
They decided to break down the kitchen door, the most vulnerable part of the house, to gain entry. Inside, they found the house in disarray, with items scattered around. In the main bedroom, the scene was even more chaotic, and his brother’s safe, which was kept in a closet, was missing.
On the floor, Silombela noticed a duvet cover, which he initially thought lay on top of discarded clothing. As he stepped over it, one of his companions lifted the duvet, revealing the body of his brother. Silombela said they immediately called the police.
Several days later, the police asked Silombela to identify some of his brother’s belongings, which had been recovered from the house of one of the accused, Bezuidenhout (28). He also identified a phone and a bank card found at the home of the father of one of accused, Kaapama (29), as belonging to his brother.
Kaapama and Bezuidenhout are charged with murdering Benjamin (41) at his Eros home. They also face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. The State alleges that the accused murdered Benjamin on 24 May 2023, stole items including a television, and took his Mercedes-Benz.
The accused pleaded not guilty at the start of their trial and indicated they would make use of their right to remain silent without providing a plea explanation.
In affidavits submitted during their bail application, Kaapama and Bezuidenhout claimed they had taken drugs with the deceased, who allegedly made sexual advances towards Bezuidenhout, which she rejected. They said a scuffle ensued, but they left the house believing Benjamin was still alive.