Former senior police officer attached to the Women and Child Protection Unit in Keetmanshoop, Morgan Brian Plaatjie, informed Windhoek High Court Judge Dinnah Usiku that he intends to plead guilty to the charges he faces.
Plaatjie is facing one charge of housebreaking with the intent to murder and murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act; one count of attempted murder, two counts of contravening the Combating of Domestic Violence Act [contravening a protection order], one count of assault by threat and one count of malicious damage to property, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence
Act.
It is alleged by the State that between 25 and 26 June 2021 in Keetmanshoop, the accused broke down the front door of Yvette Sharon Louw’s house by kicking open the door with the intent to murder her.
He entered the house unlawfully, and intentionally killed Louw by stabbing her several times with a knife.
The attempted murder charge relates to an incident on the same day when he unlawfully and intentionally assaulted Dawid Jansen by stabbing him multiple times with the intention to murder him.
It is alleged that Plaatjie contravened the provisions of a protection order Louw had taken out against him on two occasions.
The assault by threat charge is in relation to an incident when Plaatjie allegedly threatened to kill or beat Louw in circumstances where she believed he had the intention and means to carry out his threat, and caused her to flee her residence.
The malicious damage charge reflects an incident when he unlawfully and intentionally destroyed Louw’s television set.
State advocate Anna Amukugo told the judge that she did not have a chance to study the plea, and asked for a postponement to consider it and consult with her seniors on whether to accept the plea or not.
Plaatjie’s defence attorney Boris Isaacks had no objection to the postponement, and Judge Usiku adjourned the matter to 23 to 26 April.
Plaatjie remains in custody at the Seeis police station.
- rrouth@nepc.com.na