By Roland Routh
WINDHOEK – The trial of Charles Noabeb, the man accused of raping and killing Cintha Robertha Gaes near the Colin Foundation Secondary School in 2013, is expected to start on May 05 before Acting Judge Dinah Usiku in the Windhoek High Court.
Noabeb was told by Judge President Petrus Damaseb his trial was set down for May 05 to 08 and again from May 11 to 15.
Noabeb is accused of the brutal rape and murder of Gaeses between the period March 28 to April 03, 2013.
The murder sent shockwaves through the tiny town of Arandis at the time, triggering various protest marches.
It is alleged Gaeses and some friends were visiting various bars in Arandis during the evening of March 29 and the early hours of March 30.
“Whilst walking home the accused followed and overpowered the deceased,” the indictment reads.
It further states Noabeb attacked the deceased and stabbed and/or cut her at least 29 times with a knife and/or blade over her body.
He then removed the deceased’s trousers or tights and her panties whereafter he raped her.
Gaeses died on the scene due to multiple incised wounds on her neck caused by the assault.
The indictment further states that after Noabeb raped the deceased he robbed her of her cellphone and SIM card, dumped her body in a corner of the school yard and covered her body with trash from a nearby trash can.
The body was found the Monday morning by pupils at the school.
The State further alleges Noabeb defeated or obstructed or attempted to defeat the course of justice when he burned or otherwise disposed of the cellular phone and SIM card of the deceased and covered the deceased’s blood and used condom(s) on the scene with sand.
Noabeb faces one count of murder, one count of rape alternatively crimen injuria in that he removed her underwear and exposed her private parts, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances and one count of defeating or obstructing to attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.
He is represented by Milton Engelbrecht on instructions of legal aid and the public prosecutor will be Deputy Prosecutor General Antonia Vehoef.