WINDHOEK – Investigations in the matter in which South African national Wilhelm Wimpie Derick Februarie, 34, stands accused of suffocating to death and raping a 56-year-old woman in June are incomplete.
The lab results are also pending, prompting the matter to be remanded to February 20 in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
In September, Magistrate Jermaine Muchali denied Februarie bail on the grounds he has a previous conviction and is likely to abscond.
The magistrate also took public interest into account when he denied the accused bail. The State is opposed to Februarie being granted bail for fear that he would pose a very serious flight risk if he were to be released.
During the bail hearing, defence lawyer Boris Isaacks informed New Era that he wanted his client to be treated fairly because everyone is equal before the law.
Februarie pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He stands accused of the rape and murder of Dinah Diedericks, 56, in Windhoek West on June 22 this year.
Februarie was arrested on June 22 and has been in custody since.
Available information suggests Februarie and the deceased were part of a group of people that attended a party.
After the party they took a taxi together and after the taxi dropped the victim at home, Februarie remained behind. He allegedly then somehow got into the deceased’s house and raped her whereafter he allegedly strangled her.
In June, the State strongly objected to bail and called the crimes “very serious” when taken together.
Tatelo Lusepani represented the State.
By Tunomukwathi Asino