Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Murder accused reluctantly agrees to State funded lawyer

Home Front Page News Murder accused reluctantly agrees to State funded lawyer

Roland Routh

WINDHOEK – One of the two men accused of raping and murdering a young girl between 28 and 29  March 2013 in Windhoek, wanted to fire his lawyer yesterday.
Their trial started anew yesterday before Windhoek High Court Judge Boas Usiku.
Ruben Fritz told the judge that he is not satisfied with the services of his lawyer, Simpson Enkali from the Kadhila Amoomo law stable who is appearing on his behalf, courtesy of Legal Aid.
However, after both Ethel Ndlovu for the State and Mbanga Siyomunji for his co-accused, Fransicus Narimab, opposed another postponement, the judge questioned Fritz on the merits of his distrust of Enkali.
During the questioning, however, it came to light that Fritz had no qualms with the manner in which Enkali is handling his defence, but that he wants time to allow his family to approach a privately funded lawyer as he is of the opinion that a State funded lawyer would favour the State.
When it was explained to him that Enkali is his lawyer that is there to represent his interests and is only paid by the State, he acquiesced and the matter was postponed to today.
The matter is back on the roll after three judges of the Supreme Court of Namibia overturned a section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act acquittal of Narimab.
Acting Judge of Appeal Sylvester Mainga in agreement with Judges of Appeal Dave Smuts and Elton Hoff found that on the evidence presented during the trial, the discharge of Narimab was premature and that he was to be placed on his defence.
They are facing charges of murder, two counts of rape, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances and one count of defeating or obstructing or attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice each.
The State is alleging that the two accused took turns to rape 18-year-old Alwina Uri-Khos during the period March in 2013, while the other held her down after taking her to a bushy area between Shandumbala and the Western Bypass tar road in Windhoek. 
It is further alleged that both accused killed the deceased by hitting her with stones on her head and she died at the scene of severe head injuries due to blunt force impact trauma. The accused then allegedly robbed Uri-Khos of her cellphone, SIM card, one pair of shoes and trousers. 
It is alleged that they destroyed the SIM card and sold the cellular phone and instructed the mother of Fritz to give false information to the police. It is further alleged they disposed of the shoes and trouser of the deceased in a way unknown to the police.
Narimab and Fritz have been in custody since their arrest five days after the discovery of their alleged victim until Narimab was released after spending at least four years trial-awaiting.
Fritz remains in custody and Narimab is free on a warning.