Iuze Mukube
The murder and arson trial of Mecthilde Karomo (32) was allocated to Windhoek High Court judge Claudia Claasen on Thursday by Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula.
The trial was set down for 24 November 2024 on Judge Claasen’s case management roll to determine possible trial dates.
Karomo faces charges of arson and two counts of murder following the deaths of Leonard Haupindi Kadubuli and Anastasia Ihemba Matende.
The accused is being charged with intentionally killing her ex-boyfriend and his then-alleged girlfriend by setting Kadubuli’s shack on fire on 26 December 2022. It is alleged the incident occurred due to relationship issues, as on 25 December 2022, Karomo allegedly threatened Kadubuli that she would set his house on fire after an altercation between them.
Later, the accused allegedly set the shack alight while the couple was asleep, resulting in Kadubuli and Matende burning to death in Windhoek’s Okahandja Park informal settlement.
Karomo is further charged with arson for allegedly setting Kadubuli’s shack on fire, or alternatively malicious damage to property, as various items inside the shack were destroyed by the fire.
Karomo is out on bail.