A man, who was on trial for attacking his girlfriend and her grandmother with a panga at Okashopashopa village in the Etayi constituency of Omusati region, was found guilty of her death and assault on the elderly woman. 

Oshakati High Court acting Judge David Munsu convicted Hamukushi Samuel (50) on charges of housebreaking with intent to murder, murder read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act and attempted murder.

The charges emanate from an incident that occurred on 16 June 2019 when Samuel went to his girlfriend, Hambeleleni Ndahafa Absalom’s (35) home, broke into her room, and attacked her continuously with a panga. The vicious attack started in the room and Absalom tried to escape but Samuel followed her outside where he continued with the attack.

Samuel also hacked Absalom’s grandmother Lovisa Hamutenya (74) multiple times when she tried to intervene. 

Absalom was pronounced dead on the scene while Hamutenya sustained serious injuries and had to be admitted to a local hospital where she spent nearly two months.

According to the post-mortem report of Absalom, she died because of loss of blood and head injury. The report indicated severe force was used, hence, the fracture of the skull and the ribs. With such injuries, Absalom had no chance of survival.

“Having regard to the nature of the weapon used, the parts of the body targeted, the severity of the injuries inflicted, the court is satisfied that the State managed to prove the accused guilt of the offences alleged,” said Munsu. 

He added, Samuel made several admissions in his statement that Absalom was his girlfriend, on the day of the incident, he went to her homestead with a panga. There he ended up hacking the deceased as well as Hamutenya several times.

“These admissions are in line with the evidence of witnesses who testified in the matter. The court finds that the State managed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt on both counts,” noted Munsu.

-mamakali@nepc.com.na