The murder trial of a Gobabis resident, accused of killing his romantic partner during sexual intercourse, will start in February next year.

Windhoek High Court Judge Dinnah Usiku set down the dates of 20 to 24 February next year for the trial of Petrus Abusema.

It is alleged by the State that Abusema (29) killed Katrina Hendrik during the early morning hours of Saturday 18 July 2020. 

According to the summary of substantial facts, the accused and victim were in an intimate relationship while he was also in a relationship with another woman at the same time. 

During the night in question, he visited the victim at her shack in Kanaan Location in Gobabis and had intercourse with her.

 An argument erupted between them, and he allegedly strangled her or in another way blocked her airways, causing her to die on the scene due to cardiopulmonary arrest, caused by asphyxia, whereafter he left the scene.

He will be represented by Legal Aid lawyer Eliaser Shakwa, and the State by Taedago Gaweseb.