2018-01-19Staff Report 2 Maria Amakali Windhoek-A year has passed since the gruesome murder of International University of Management (IUM) student, Iyaloo Ndapandula Hainghumbi. Victor Elia the man accused of the heinous crime has denied having a hand in his girlfriend’s alleged murder. Elia, 36, who took the stand in a fully packed courtroom of curious members of the public, friends and family at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, pleaded not guilty on a charge of murder read with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act. While taking his preliminary plea, his attorney Samson Enkali informed the court that Elia would take a vow of silence and no plea explanation would be provided. The prosecution is alleging that on the January 17, 2017 Elia a long-distance driver unlawfully and with intent killed Hainghumbi, 25, by applying blunt force to her head. Elia is alleged to have dumped Hainghumbi’s corpse alongside the B1 road to Okahandja where it was discovered. During his failed bail application, it was revealed that the deceased had made up her mind about ending their three-year relationship. It is alleged Elia was not happy that Hainghumbi wanted to end their relationship. Witnesses testified that Elia met up with Hainghumbi before she disappeared, a fact Elia did not dispute. He has stated that he indeed met up with Hainghumbi but he had no knowledge of what happened to her after that. Having taken his preliminary plea, magistrate Michelle Kubersky postponed the matter to May 30 for the prosecutor general to pronounce herself in the matter. Elia was remanded in custody awaiting his next appearance in court. 2018-01-19Staff Report 2
