Windhoek
Two men who already spent the better part of three years and six months awaiting trial, were told yesterday they will have to wait another year for their trial to start.
Their trial is slated before the Windhoek High Court.Riaan Khachab, 36, and Hans Gareth Kamberipa, 34 were informed that because of the unavailability of a state funded lawyer their trial can only be set down for May 02 to June 03 next year with a possible administrative break in between.
Bronell Uirab told the court he is unavailable until April next year when he will start with the trial of Eben Cloete and the next opening on his calendar is May 2016. Khachab and Kamberipa are on trial for the murder and robbery of Ernst Jacobus Cloete who was killed at Farm Drie Riviere in the District of Rehoboth on November 28, 2011.
According to the state they ambushed Cloete and struck him with an axe while he was tending to his sheep and goats that were grazing whereafter they tied his hands and feet with a rope.
It is charged the accused then hid the deceased’s body in some bushes and covered it with some shrubs in an attempt to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.
Khachab and Kamberipa then proceeded to rob the deceased of a wallet containing a PSEMAS medical aid card, PSUN card, Meatco membership card, GIPF card and at least N$300 in cash and also took the deceased’s .270 SAKO rifle with serial number 553150 with a suppressor, telescope and rifle bag and at least eight live .270 rounds the indictment states. In addition they also allgedly stole 30 sheep and three goats, a rope and a Samsung cellular phone.
The two accused are charged with one count of murder, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one count of defeating or obstructing or attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, one count of possession of a firearm without a license and one count of possession of ammunition without a license.
Khachab will be defended by Christopher Stanley on instructions from the Directorate of Legal Aid and Kamberipa by Bronell Uirab also on the legal aid ticket. Deputy Prosecutor General, Antonia Verhoef is currently acting on behalf of the state until the PG allocates the case to another prosecutor.
Judge Dinah Usiku will preside over the matter. Khachab is currently serving a sentence for a conviction of escape from lawful custody and Kamberipa is in custody for the current matter.