Two of the four people arrested in connection with the murder of Christoph Frederick, whose mutilated body was discovered last Thursday in Otjomuise’s 7de Laan, were denied bail by the Katutura Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The accused, Joslin Banysen (21) and Tashiya Oliva Nandomba (23), made their first court appearance yesterday before magistrate Surita Suvage on a charge of obstructing the course of justice. 

Prosecutor Victor Mutumbulwa informed the court that the State is objecting to the release of Banysen and Nandomba on bail, pending the finalisation of the case.

Mutumbulwa said there is fear that they will interfere with ongoing investigations, and the charges are serious in nature.

Magistrate Suvage granted the order, and ordered that the accused be remanded in custody, postponing their matter to 31 July for further police investigations.

Banysen and Nandomba join Nandomba Elias Namwandi Nandomba (18) and Beukes Mervin Lele Beukes (18), who are also charged in connection with the death of Frederick (30).

The duo is alleged to have intentionally destroyed evidence, and tried to conceal the identities of Lele and Namwandi.

However, Lele and Namwandi are the only ones charged with a count of murder and violating a corpse.

Frederick’s body was discovered on Thursday with 32 stab wounds, and his private parts cut off.

Frederick, a member of the LGBTQ+ community who identified as a woman, went missing on Wednesday morning after leaving home with friends.

His body was discovered by a passerby in a riverbed next to the Chairman Mao Zendong High School in Otjomuise.

-mamakali@nepc.com.na