WINDHOEK – Judge Alfred Siboleka on Friday last week denied young Mariental resident Charles Michael Swartz bail in the Windhoek High Court.
Swartz, who was only 19 years old when he allegedly killed 15-year-old Sara van der Westhuizen on October 03, 2012 in Mariental, applied to be released on bail pending the finalisation of his trial.
Swartz is charged with murder and faces a further charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in that during September 2012 he allegedly assaulted the deceased on diverse occasions by kicking her several times on her body and beating her with steel wire on her back.
Swartz is also charged with assault by threat as it is alleged that on October 03, 2012 he threatened Anna Maria Baisako that he would kill her.
According to the summary of substantial facts in the indictment Swartz was warned by Constable Sylvanus Umati to stop assaulting the deceased on the day of the murder.
That evening he allegedly went to the parental home of the deceased and called her out. When she joined him, he stabbed her at least six times before she managed to run into the safety of the house, but he followed her according to the indictment.
When the deceased tried to hide behind Baisako, Swartz allegedly threatened to kill her and then stabbed the deceased once more in the neck.
Van der Westhuizen died as a result of multiple stab wounds to her neck and chest. Swartz has remained in custody since his arrest shortly after the incident. Judge Siboleka indicated that he would give reasons for his decision on or before May 22.
By Roland Routh