Windhoek
Otjimbingwe resident Siegfried Uirab, who admitted killing his mother with an axe at her residence in Otjimbingwe, was declared mentally sound to stand trial by independent clinical psychiatrist Dr Reinhardt Sieberhagen.
High Court Judge Christi Liebenberg was on Tuesday informed that Uirab had been assessed by two state psychologists in Namibia and their view was Uirab should be able to understand court proceedings and give instructions to his legal representative.
Judge Liebenberg previously ordered that Uirab be seen by a state psychiatrist or psychologist, in addition to Sieberhagen.
The report of Sieberhagen was entered into evidence and confirmed the report of Dr Frederika Mthoko and notes that his ability to understand that what he was doing is wrong was reduced and his ability to act upon such understanding was equally reduced.
The state alleges Uirab killed Erika Uiras by hitting her at least four times with an axe on her head on November 21, 2013 at Otjimbingwe in the Karibib District, causing her to die two days later on November 23, 2013 at Katutura Hospital in Windhoek.
He further denied any involvement in the other charges he faces. In addition to the murder charge, he is accused of attempted murder for allegedly hitting his sister Lena Uiras at least once on the head and that he threatened to assault another family member Lizette Uiras with the same axe.
According to the charge sheet, the accused and the deceased shared a residence and he provided financially for her and the other complainants.
On the afternoon of the incident, the accused threatened to kill Lizette Uiras and other family members if they do not vacate the deceased’s residence, which they did, only to later return, the indictment states.
That night whilst the deceased was at home with her family, the accused arrived and had a short conversation with his mother where after he struck her at least four times on the head with the axe, the indictment further reads.
After assaulting his mother, Uirab turned on Lena Uiras and hit her once on the head and also chased Lizette Uiras with the axe in his hand, threatening to kill her, the indictment reads. His mother, Erika Uiras, died because of head injuries caused by the assault on her.
Titus Ipumbu, the state funded lawyer of Uirab, already informed the court during a pre-trial hearing that his client cannot be held responsible for his actions, as he underwent psychiatric observation just two weeks before the incident. Ipumbu said Uirab was diagnosed with substance abuse-induced psychosis.
He also mentioned in his pre-trial answers that Uirab admitted committing the crimes, but cannot held responsible because of his mental condition. During his testimony in his own defence Uirab repeatedly referred to a big dog he saw on the day of the incident.
The state witnesses also testified that when Uirab arrived home at around lunchtime on the day in question he was aggressive and chased them from the house.
The matter has now been remanded to October 5 for judgement.