RUNDU – The Rundu Magistrate’s Court denied bail on Monday to teenagers accused of robbing and killing a school learner over a cellphone last month in Rundu.

Joackim Kanyanga (18) and John Asake Mario (18) are facing charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. 

The charges are in relation to the death of Paulus Kahili (17) on 14 March.

He was a grade 8 learner at Sikanduko Combined School. 

The incident that took Kahili’s life occurred in Rundu’s industrial area between the Agro Marketing and Puma service stations along John Mutorwa Road.

It is alleged that Kahili was found walking on the street when the two boys approached him, held his hands from behind, and stabbed him in the chest.

They thereafter robbed him of a cell phone before fleeing the scene.

“The two suspects were arrested on Friday, and charged with murder. Both are residents of the Sauyemwa location. The murder weapon was seized, and the cell phone that was stolen from the deceased was also recovered,” said police deputy commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu over the weekend.

Their case was postponed to 13 May for further police investigations. 

The two accused will remain in police custody.

In a separate murder case, Edward Katewa (33) was denied bail by the Rundu magistrate’s court.

He was arrested for the murder of his stepfather Edward Kakondo Nsinano on Wednesday at Nakaza village in Kavango West.

 He appeared on a murder charge, in conjunction with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act.

The victim and the accused allegedly had an argument before the accused stabbed his stepfather on Wednesday evening with a kitchen knife, which led to his death. 

Katewa fled the scene after committing the crime, but was later arrested on Thursday. 

His case was remanded by Rundu magistrate Sonia Sampofu to 26 March for further police investigations.

-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na