WALVIS BAY - Murder accused Coenraad Strydom was in the dock yesterday afternoon to answer to the death of his wife, Engela Borruso Strydom, a renowned real estate agent, who was killed in their communal home on Friday night.

It is alleged Coenraad’s attempt to make it look like a suicide backfired, resulting in him being arrested for the incident. The couple has allegedly been together since 2019 and only got married in July this year.

Close friends and family looked on while magistrate Vicky Nicolaidis read Coenraad, who is represented by Lana Fouche, his rights.  He looked emotionless.

Shortly afterwards, prosecutor Maggy Shiyagaya told the court the State will be opposing bail at this stage, as the charges Coenraad faces are serious and because investigations are still not completed.

“The State is opposing bail as the accused is facing a charge of murder read with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act. It will also not be in the interest of the public to have the suspect released on bail. As a result, we request that the case be postponed to 15 December,” Shiyagaya explained.

Police over the weekend indicated they were notified by a local hospital about Engela’s death after she was transported by a private ambulance service to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her head.

Inspector Ileni Shapumba on Friday said they found discrepancies in the events as well as the murder scene, as the pistol she allegedly used to shoot herself was found under a pillow, while four spent cartridges were found on the floor next to her.  “This did not add up,” Shapumba explained on Sunday. The official police report released on Friday indicates that the murder took place between 20h00 and 21h00.  The couple was earlier seen at a local bar in a joyful mood before Engela left the bar. 

She was then followed shortly afterwards by the accused. - edeklerk@nepc.com.na