Iuze Mukube
Windhoek High Court Judge Naomi Shivute this week found two former farm employees guilty of the gruesome murder of an elderly couple in Gobabis in 2018.
Bernadus Afrikaner (37) and Salathiel Unaeb (49) faced 11 charges in relation to the murders of Armin Siegfried Riedel (68) and his wife Brunhild Riedel (66).
The couple was killed on 20 January 2018 on their farm in the Gobabis district.
The duo each faced two counts of murder, two counts of rape, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one count of arson, one count of defeating the course of justice, three counts of contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act as well as one count of assault by threat.
Judge Shivute found Afrikaner and Unaeb each guilty of two counts of murder with direct intent due to witness evidence that the accused were seen forcing the deceased persons into the farmhouse on that day.
She was satisfied that although the State’s evidence was based on circumstantial evidence, since the accused persons were seen committing violence against the deceased persons, it could be inferred that they were the ones who committed the offences of murder.
Shivute found that a single witness’ evidence is credible and has no reasonable objection not to be used because “from the moment the deceased persons were brought into the house, they were never seen alive again”.
She was satisfied that the State proved beyond reasonable doubt that the two accused killed the elderly couple and robbed them of their properties. They ignored the cry for help of the deceased female.
Hence, the she died because of the accused. They committed the act with direct intent, as after robbing and carrying properties from the house and killing the couple, they set the Riedel’s farmhouse alight with their bodies inside to conceal their crimes, causing damage of more than N$500 000.
A witness testified that Afrikaner told her how they ransacked the house and first took the stolen items to hide them.
He then returned and poured diesel on the victims’ bodies and inside the house, before setting it ablaze.
They stole various items, including a pistol, knives, bedding and a washing basin.
Shivute said she was not satisfied that the State proved rape beyond a reasonable doubt because there was no credible evidence that the elderly woman was raped by the two before she died.
Additionally, they were each found guilty of the counts of robbery and arson, and not guilty of defeating or obstructing the course of justice or an attempt thereof.
The three counts of contravention of the Arms and Ammunition Act relate to them having a firearm and ammunition without a licence, as well as selling a firearm to another person without a licence.
Afrikaner was found guilty of the first count of unlawful possession of an arm, while Unaeb was acquitted on the charge.
The State is represented by Advocate Ethel Ndlovu, and the defence by Melissa Windisch.
The matter was postponed to 17 June 2025 for a pre-sentencing hearing.