KEETMANSHOOP – Residents of the sparsely populated and sleepy village of Gainachas in the //Kharas region are still coming to terms with the shocking and gruesome death of one of their own.

Linda De Wee succumbed to 60% burn wounds yesterday at the Keetmanshoop state hospital. 

She was 32. 

According to a crime report by Theodore Kotungondo from
//Kharas police, the accused, Isabella Eises (38), allegedly poured petrol over the victim last week Sunday afternoon and set her alight, suspecting the latter to be involved in a love affair with her husband.

Chairperson of the Berseba village council Felicia Motinga said as a victim of gender-based violence, she is shocked over the incident. Motinga added a group of 20 women in Berseba, including GBV victims, established a community group, called Women in Entrepreneurship – and after being empowered through training, 

they now support and educate other victims.  

Expressing her condolences to the family members of the victim, she also said incidents such as this could have been prevented if more women have been empowered on how to handle jealousy in relationships. 

“I am hereby calling on the gender ministry, religious, traditional authority and church leaders to become more involved in this evil of gender-based violence through support and empowerment to prevent similar unfortunate incidents in future,” Motinga said. 

Berseba constituency councillor Jeremias Goeieman described the murder as senseless and very tragic for the community. 

“It was indeed the first time that such gruesome acts were carried out in our community, and I feel if people involved in such relationships issues can come forward and open up to religious, traditional and community leaders, this incident might have been solved amicably, instead of turning to violence, leading to the loss of a life,” he
said. 

The politician expressed his sympathy towards the bereaved family, and hope that the community would allow the law to take its course and not retaliate.

Meanwhile, community activist Percy Charlies also expressed sadness, saying the incident would have been prevented. 

“One can, however, not deny the fact that, due to the worsening economic climate, unemployment and poverty, some women may sometimes tend to prefer a man who can financially support them, ending up in relations with married men,” he added. 

Charlies, however, also describe the murder caused by relationship problems as tragic and shocking in such a small community. 

“May the deceased’s soul rest in eternal peace and her family find consolation in their bereavement,” he said.

The accused appeared in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of murder, alternatively culpable homicide.

  During proceedings, public prosecutor Coleen Yisa objected to the granting of bail, giving reasons for the accused possibly disturbing or interfering with witnesses. 

“The deceased was known to the accused, and not all statements were yet obtained. As this is a schedule one offence, it will be in the best interest of the State if the accused are remanded in custody until police investigations are finalised,” Yisa reasoned.

Magistrate Elzabe Konjore as a result postponed the matter to 10 November 2022 for investigations to be finalised and for
the accused to acquire the services of a
private lawyer as her choice of legal representation.

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na