Windhoek
Augustinium teacher Ananias Kamati, who has been charged with the double murder of his former girlfriend and her elder sister last week, is out of the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Katutura State Hospital, where he has been fighting for his life after he reportedly attempted to commit suicide.
He has been moved to a different ward in the same hospital, police spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi said. The 32-year-old Otjiherero language teacher is charged with the murder of Jacqueline Panna Kuaseua – his student until her death on Friday – and her elder sister Cecilia Kuaseua.
Jacqueline was stabbed twice – in the chest and head – while her older sister also suffered multiple stab wounds. Kamati had left behind a suicide note, but survived the attempt to kill himself. The content of the suicide note has not been disclosed.
Cecilia had accompanied her younger sister to the school on Friday after Kamati had allegedly grabbed Jacqueline’s cellphone earlier that day, just after the 18-year-old learner had finished writing examinations.
It is reported that Kamati promised to take the sisters to the place he had left the cellphone and it was on the way there that he attacked them in the riverbed. Kanguatjivi told New Era that the police caught Kamati while drinking battery acid in his room.
“As police entered his room, he was found with a bottle in the hand wanting to drink… He didn’t drink enough to kill him and he is out of the ICU,” said Kanguatjivi yesterday, before referring this reporter to his colleague Kauna Shikwambi for further information. Shikwambi said the suspect is still in hospital and under police guard. He is recovering and is responding to questions, Shikwambi said.
Asked about the result of the autopsy, Shikwambi said the sisters died from multiple stab wounds and there were no indications of rape.
A cousin to the Kuaseuas, Tjiyandjeua Hirongua, who lived with them at 8ste Laan, told New Era this week that Kamati was stalking Jacqueline after she ended their relationship a month ago.
“You know Otjomuise is mountainous; Kamati would hide behind the mountains and watch her. He once stormed into the house and found her bathing,” she said. Hirongua said that while Jacqueline had a protection order against Kamati, Cecilia had also reported Kamati to the police for continuously insulting her.
Hirongua said Kamati blamed Cecilia for influencing her younger sister to dump him.