Former senior police officer attached to the Women and Child Protection Unit in Keetmanshoop, Morgan Brian Plaatje, yesterday pleaded guilty to a charge of murder.

Plaatje further pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

He, however, denied guilt on a count of housebreaking with intent to murder and murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act; one count of attempted murder, one count of contravening the Combating of Domestic Violence Act – contravening a protection order – one count of assault by threat and one count of malicious damage to property, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act. 

State Advocate Anna Amukugo accepted the pleas.

It is alleged by the State that from 25 to 26 June 2021 in Keetmanshoop, the accused broke down the front door of Yvette Sharon Louw’s house by kicking open the door with the intent to murder her, and unlawfully entered and intentionally killed Louw by stabbing her several times with a knife. 

The attempted murder charge relates to an incident on the same date when he unlawfully and intentionally assaulted Dawid Jansen by stabbing him multiple times with the intention to murder him, according to the State. 

With regards to contravening a protection order, it is alleged that Plaatje contravened the provisions of an order Louw had taken out against him on two occasions. 

The assault by threat charge is in relation to an incident when Plaatjie allegedly threatened to kill or beat her in circumstances where she believed he had the intention and means to carry out his threat, and caused her to flee her residence. 

The malicious damage charge reflects an incident when he unlawfully and intentionally destroyed her television set.

The case will continue today at the High Court situated at the Windhoek Correctional Facility in front of Judge Dinnah Usiku. Boris Isaacks is representing Plaatje. He remains in custody at the Seeis police station.  

-  rrouth@nepc.com.na