Iuze Mukube
A date for the trial of two residents of Walvis Bay, accused of murdering, raping and robbing a bank employee on 30 December 2023, is expected to be arranged on Thursday.
Quanito van Vuuren (27) and Moses Sem (22) made a pre-trial appearance yesterday before Windhoek High Court Judge Philanda Christiaan.
They face counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and two counts of rape.
The matter was remanded by Christiaan yesterday following issues noted in the defence’s reply to the State’s pre-trial memorandum.
She ordered the matter to be postponed to 29 January 2026 for the fixing of a trial date.
In the case, the State alleges that the two accused were socialising with the deceased, Vernon Gavin (53), at his residence at Fairway Golf Course in Walvis Bay, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes on 30 December 2023.
At some stage, the State alleges, the accused overpowered the deceased and took turns raping him, whereafter they killed him by pushing a piece of cloth deep down his throat, causing him to die on the scene due to asphyxia.
Subsequently, they robbed the deceased of a Samsung Galaxy A14 cellphone valued at N$4 000, a Samsung Tab A7 cellphone valued at N$9 000, four caps valued at N$500, and a white floppy hat.
The body of Garvin was found with his legs bound and a facecloth in his mouth by neighbours after multiple unanswered calls.
Gavin’s phone was traced to the suspects.
Van Vuuren and Moses were arrested a day after the incident.
The State is represented by Antonia Verroef, and Sam by Milton Engelbrecht.
The accused remain in custody.