A resident of Mpungu, who attacked and murdered his grandfather with an axe and a panga – and is now seeking to appeal his conviction and sentence of 25 years, had his case postponed to early next year.
Judge Herman January informed Moses Murangi (27) the court will give him additional time for the Directorate of Legal Aid to respond to his application for legal representation.
The court postponed the case to 21 January 2022.
Murangi made an appearance yesterday in the High Court, where he filed an application seeking leave to appeal his conviction and sentence in the Supreme Court.
In his appeal, he stated the Oshakati High Court erred in law when it convicted him on the charge of murder and further sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment.
The court gave him a suspended prison term of three years on a count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The conviction and sentence arise from the death of his grandfather Eino Shiyukifeni Hamutenya (78).
According to a medical report, Hamutenya died as a result of a cut wound to the side of his neck, which severed a major artery – and that he also had a gaping wound on his left cheek.
The report states the wounds could be described as defensive injuries.
The incident took place at Mpungu, situated west of Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West region.
According to Murangi’ sister, a minor, she saw him carrying an axe under his belt.
Thereafter, he struck Hamutenya with it on the side of his head.
Hamutenya fell to the ground, and Murangi struck him again on the neck.
At the start of the trial, Murangi admitted he assaulted his teenage cousin by beating her with a stick.
However, he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed his grandfather with a knife that same day.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.
– mamakali@nepc.com.na