Iuze Mukube 

Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis on Monday found a 39-year-old man, facing two charges in connection with the death of his wife, guilty of murder and housebreaking. 

The conviction comes as a result of a tendered guilty plea by Robert Marlo McNab, in which he admitted that he killed his wife, Helen Onesmus (43) by stabbing her multiple times with a knife. McNab faced the charges of housebreaking with intent to murder, and murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.In a plea proceeding on Monday, McNab pleaded guilty on both charges.He explained that after moving to Walvis Bay on an employment opportunity, he hurriedly travelled back to Windhoek last year after receiving a notice that Onesmus had filled divorce proceedings against him. The two were married but separated in 2023. 

He stated that he was he was upset with the news, and after arriving in Windhoek he went straight to the flat of the deceased in the area of Rocky Crest to confront her. At the residence, he admitted that he opened the garage door and entered to wait for Onesmus inside. 

The deceased found him there waiting and an argument erupted between the two, which led to McNab, attacking Onesmus with a knife. Afterwards, the accused attempted to end his life and he acknowledged that he knew stabbing her would cause injuries that could lead to his wife’s death. 

The State alleged that Onesmus, who was an employee of a major services company, was stabbed at least 27 times with a knife or a pair of scissors or other sharp objects. She died at the scene where she had been attacked. McNab expressed remorse for his actions and pleaded for the court to have mercy on him. After tendering his plea, Du Plessis convicted McNab on the charge of housebreaking and murder. 

She also postponed the matter to tomorrow for pre-sentencing proceedings. McNab remains in custody. –mukubeiuze@gmail.com