The three men, accused of the murder and robbery of businessman Daniele Ferrari, pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Windhoek High Court before Judge Naomi Shivute yesterday.
Kefas Iileka (36), Johannes Shetunyenga (35) and Antonio Muvua Cheme (28) are facing one count of murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, alternatively receiving or acquiring stolen property, defeating or obstructing or attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm without a licence.
They did not provide a plea explanation and put the onus on the State to prove every allegation against them.
It is alleged by the State that they killed businessman Ferrari (52) by stabbing him with knives and pangas or other sharp objects.
They stole his Samsung Galaxy S7 cellular phone, a brown leather wallet containing approximately N$1 000 s well as his identity documents and other belongings.
Aggravating circumstances exist because the accused were wielding dangerous weapons, and were inflicting grievous bodily harm on the victim.
The incident happened at the Avis Dam on 14 July 2020.
It is further alleged that they attempted to subvert the course of justice by discarding in a manner unknown to the State the panga(s) and knives used in the murder, and throwing away the ID, driving license, medical aid card and bank card of the victim.
It is also alleged that they informed one or more of the accused that the cellphone was being traced or investigated by the police, and that the police connected or traced the cellphone to the victim and one or more of the accused, and that it should be destroyed.
Further, they destroyed the cellphone and SIM card to interfere with police investigations into the case, the indictment read.
They are further accused of assaulting Schalk Willem van Wyk by stabbing him with a panga or knife on the head and arm with the intent to murder him.
It is furthermore alleged that the suspects also hit Gregor Robert McGregor with a panga on his head with the intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on the same day.
It is further alleged that the accused were in possession of an unlicensed firearm on 24 November 2020.
In addition, the accused allegedly robbed Naemie Katrina Harageis of her Huawei P30 cellphone, a set of earphones, and a golden wristwatch on 10 July 2020, also at the Avis Dam.
It is alleged that they threatened to stab her with a screwdriver or other unknown weapons, which makes it aggravating.
Iileka and Shetunyenga were arrested and charged in connection with the robbery and murder in November 2020 after Cheme informed the police that he bought the stolen cellphone from them.
Iileka already made a confession before a magistrate.
Cheme was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property and obstructing or attempting to obstruct the course of justice related to the murder and robbery of Ferrari.
Yesterday, the state called warrant officer Linanga Sasele, a scene of crime officer, to the stand.
He informed the court that he was summoned to a murder scene at the Avis Dam on 14 July 2020.
When he arrived, he found a white male deceased in the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle with a smashed window.
He said he observed several cuts on the body and face of the victim, as well as a deep gash on the door of the vehicle.
He then proceeded to take pictures of the scene.
The matter continues today.
Iileka is represented by Mbanga Siyomunji, and Shetunyenga by Kingsley Ngoshi.
Cheme is represented by Legal Aid lawyer Tuna Nhinda.
The State is represented by Ethel Ndlovu.
All the accused are out on bail.
– rrouth@nepc.com.na