Magistrate defers murder judgement

A man who is on trial for allegedly killing his brother over a debt of N$20 last year will hear his fate within a fortnight in the Windhoek Regional Court.
According to prosecutor Sirka Nangoro, the presiding magistrate was not available to deliver judgement as scheduled in the matter. 
The accused, Immanuel Nepela, who is on bail was initially scheduled to hear judgment in his case on 19 October, but he failed to show up at court. 

However, he later turned up and his warrant of arrest was subsequently cancelled.
Magistrate Ileni Velikoshi set down the matter to 27 November for judgement.
Nepela, a taxi driver, is on trial on a charge of murder for allegedly killing his brother Salatiel Nghiyolwa (33). 
Nghiyolwa died on 18 June 2019 after he was stabbed with a knife while in his shack at Eehambo dhaNehale informal settlement in Havana, Windhoek.

During the trial, Soini Nghiyolwa, a sister to the accused and victim, testified that Nghiyolwa took firewood the previous week to Nepela for his grilled meat business. 
The agreement was that Nepela would give Nghiyolwa N$20 for the firewood later in the day.
Later on, the brothers got into the argument over the payment of the wood. It is alleged that Nepela then pushed and overpowered Nghiyolwa, who dislocated his arm and strangled him, causing him to pass out for some time. 
It was the sister’s testimony that the accused, who was panicking, called her to relate the ordeal but at the same time, the victim had regained consciousness.

However, the argument allegedly continued the following day and family members suggested the brothers should be separated. 
It was the family’s decision that Nepela should move out of their shared shack. 
Furthermore, they suggested Nepela should go to the north - an order he allegedly refused.
Witnesses testified that Nepela was allegedly seen holding a bloodstained knife, saying that he had just killed his brother. 
Nghiyolwa was found in their shack, lying on the floor in a pool of blood.

According to the post-mortem report prepared by Dr Leena Ashipala, three penetrating stab wounds were observed - one to the upper quadrant of the abdomen and two to the bicep muscles. 
She concluded the victim died from excessive bleeding and hypovolemic shock, which was caused by the stab wound to the abdomen.
Nepela has since denied guilt, stating he never had any intention to kill his brother. 
- mamakali@nepc.com.na