Iuze Mukube

The trial of a man accused of allegedly stabbing his estranged wife multiple times with a pair of scissors was on Tuesday postponed to November in the Windhoek High Court.

Deputy Judge President Hannelie Prinsloo confirmed the dates for the trial of Robert Marlo McNab (39), which is scheduled to proceed from 24 November to 12 December.

McNab faces charges of housebreaking with intent to murder, and murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.

The State alleges that McNab unlawfully entered the flat rented by his estranged wife, Helen Onesmus (43), with the intent to kill her, and subsequently murdered her.

It is further alleged that he murdered his wife by stabbing her at least 27 times with a pair of scissors.

According to the indictment, although the couple were still legally married at the time of the incident, divorce proceedings had already been instituted and McNab had moved out of the flat in Rocky Crest where the deceased was living.

The deputy sheriff for Usakos had served McNab with the summons and particulars of claim relating to the divorce proceedings on Wednesday, 14 February 2024.

Two days later, on Friday 16 February, the accused allegedly travelled from Usakos to Windhoek, accessed the garage at the deceased’s residence, and hid there waiting for her return from work.

The State further claims that when the deceased arrived home, she shared a meal with her son.

When the son went to his bedroom, McNab allegedly attacked her, stabbing and/or cutting her face, neck, and body at least 27 times with a knife and a pair of scissors. She died on the scene from stab wounds to the chest.

McNab is represented by his Legal Aid-instructed lawyer Milton Engelbrecht.

McNab remains in custody at the trial-awaiting section at the Windhoek Correctional Facility. –mukubeiuze@gmail.com