Iuze Mukube

Magistrate Monica Andjaba denied the bail request of Tjizake Murangi (23) yesterday in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

The former fitness instructor stands accused of allegedly “inhumanly and barbarically” killing his 29-year-old ex-girlfriend, Frieda Amadhila, in April 2024.

He is facing one count of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.

The denial was supported by the strength of the State’s case, which disputed Murangi’s version of events around the incident.

The State says it is in possession of physical and circumstantial evidence revealing that the deceased was murdered in an inhuman and barbaric manner. This includes a postmortem report that indicates that the deceased was stabbed more than eight times, the wounds being deep, indicating they were inflicted by a strong person.

She had also suffered defensive wounds.

 However, she got overpowered, and wounds on her knees indicated she had been defenceless and helpless.

The report further specified that there were two stab wounds that penetrated the rib cage, and three wounds had reached the heart of the deceased. Murangi’s version that he had been defending himself from the deceased’s knife attack was refuted by a doctor’s report that indicated the wounds seemed to be self-inflicted.

Furthermore, call data print suggests the accused had gained entry forcefully into the deceased’s apartment, as the woman had called the City Police to report housebreaking prior to the police receiving a call that she had died.

This, the State argues, places him at the deceased’s residence at the time of the incident.

The investigation officer had further confirmed the history of domestic violence between the two, where the family members had even intervened.

More so, public interest should be taken into consideration, especially as domestic violence cases are an offence that has engulfed Namibian society.

The accused remaining in custody will ensure that there is no delay in achieving justice.

Murangi’s defence counsel conceded on his behalf that in general, murder is indeed a serious offence. 

However, he did not murder anyone, and never had any intentions to commit murder.

Secondly, the State cannot conclude that they have strong evidence against him when his side of the story is not known. Thirdly, he has no reason to abscond or flee because he has not murdered anyone, despite the State listing the strength of their case against him as grounds for objection.

“It is abundantly clear from our case law that the nature of the crime alleged to have been committed and the strength of the State’s case is relevant at the stage when bail is being considered, Andjaba stated.”

Defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht is representing Murangi, while Rowan van Wyk is representing the State.

The matter is postponed to 28 February 2025 for further investigation. 

– mukubeiuze@gmail.com