ONGWEDIVA – The vengeful 27-year-old man who fatally stabbed his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend and her lover to death in what was described as a “brutal attack” has been found guilty of their murders.

Oshakati High Court Acting Judge Erich Kesslau on Thursday convicted Patrick Shuya Mesho on a count of murder read with the provisions of domestic violence for the death of Ronnica Mashale.

He also convicted Mesho of murder for intentionally killing Mashale’s boyfriend Fredi Jona.

Although Mesho was facing two charges of attempted murder for carrying out an attack on Kemba Elaine and Lafalaza Nalufu, the court resorted to convict him on lesser charges of assault by threat and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. 

The incidents took place on 1 February 2017 in Katima Mulilo, a month after Mesho and Mashale separated. Mesho was allegedly overcome by rage when he found the new lovers in a bed that he and Mashale used to share.  

The court dismissed Mesho’s defence of non-pathological insanity, citing his actions were calculated, reasoned, targeted, and controlled behaviour – which indicates he had full control over his physical abilities.

“The fact that the accused (Mesho) targeted his ex-girlfriend and her new partner, is an indication that he acted in revenge. Thus, in all probability, the offences were premeditated,” said Kesslau.

According to Mesho’s statement, he denied guilt on the basis that, prior to the incident, he was under emotional stress as he had smoked cannabis and consumed traditional homebrew.

He claimed that his memory was blank to a point where he has no recollection until after his arrest later that day.

Mesho further said that he and Mashale had a relationship and have been living together in her house. However, when he returned home after being away for some time, he found her in bed with Jona.

He was then informed by Mashale that their relationship was over, and that caused him ‘sadness’.

Moments later, he went to a certain bar in the area of the Cowboy compound where he found Mashale and Jona accompanied by a female friend Nalufu.

Mashale left to the back of the bar assumingly to visit the toilet when he followed her and stabbed her all over her body with a knife and returned to the front of the bar and started stabbing Jona on his head and back and seriously injuring him.

Witnesses testified, thereafter, Mesho once again disappeared to the back of the bar and found Mashale lying across the street.

It is indicated that she was wounded, lying face down and gasping for air, but that didn’t stop Mesho from cruelly stabbing her again four times in the back.

Mashale died on the spot.

According to the witnesses, Mesho returned to the bar and started chasing customers who were trying to take Jona to the hospital.

While others managed to escape, a certain “Flora” who was carrying a two-year-old child yelled at him, which prompted Mesho to turn on her and lifted the knife at her in a threatening manner, however, he stopped after Flora begged him.

He then again turned to Mashale’s friend and stabbed her with the knife in her shoulder.

Mesho was arrested thereafter.

He is currently waiting to be sentenced.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na