The State has made an application to have a 26-year-old woman, accused of killing her newborn, including slitting her stomach and removing the bowels, submitted for psychological evaluation.

The accused, Yoolokeni Haipinge, made her first court appearance in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court yesterday before magistrate Olivia van der Colff.

She appeared on charges of abortion, murder, attempting to or defeating the course of justice and violating a dead body.  

According to prosecutor Victoria Likius, mental observation is required by the prosecutor general in making her decision in the matter. 

Likius added the State is not in favour of the 26-year-old Haipinge being granted bail. 

“The State objects to bail on grounds that investigations are at a preliminary stage, the charges the accused faces are of a serious nature, and there is fear the accused might interfere with ongoing investigations. It would also not be in the interest of justice,” explained Likius. 

Haipinge, who wanted to conduct her defence, was advised by the court to seek legal counsel, as the charges she is facing are of a serious nature. 

The court further informed her that should she want to be released on bail, she can lodge a formal application. 

The court postponed the matter to 14 January 2022 for mental observation, legal aid and further police investigations.

According to police reports, Haipinge, who was employed as a domestic worker at a residence in Windhoek’s Rocky Crest, is said to have given birth to a baby girl in the bathtub between Saturday and Sunday.

It is alleged she wrapped the baby in plastic bags and hid the body in the closet of her sleeping room.

After some time, she allegedly went and removed the plastic, cut the body open, removed the intestines, threw them (intestines) in the dustbin and placed the body back in the closet. 

On Monday, the owner of the house investigated where an unpleasant smell was coming from. 

Upon searching the suspect’s room, she discovered a plastic bag, containing a body of a baby girl with an open stomach. 

The body was in a decomposed state.

Police officials who responded to the call later discovered the infant’s intestines in the bin.

Haipinge was arrested on Monday and remains detained at Otjomuise police station. 

- mamakali@nepc.com.na