State Advocate Basson Lilungwe is asking Windhoek High Court Judge Philanda Christiaan to sentence a man, convicted of bludgeoning his girlfriend and mother of his child to death with an axe handle, to 30 years in jail.

Judge Christiaan convicted David Mwahondamange Johannes earlier this year on a charge of murder with direct intent, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.

Johannes pleaded not guilty at the start of his trial and claimed he accidentally killed the victim, Hilya Namutenya Shiku, while he was defending himself against an assault by her.

According to the State, he killed Shiku with whom he was in a domestic relationship by hitting her multiple times on the head and body with an axe handle. 

He was, however, acquitted on two charges of assault. 

According to the indictment, Johannes suspected the victim had relations with other men, and when he arrived home from work on 30 October 2020, an argument erupted between them, resulting in him assaulting her. 

When a neighbour came to Shiku’s rescue, he pushed her out of the way and told her, “Meme, you don’t know me”, and then he dragged the victim by her hair inside their residence and locked the two of them inside the residence. 

He was also accused of assaulting the victim prior to killing her and of assaulting the neighbour who came to the assistance of the victim. 

Lilungwe told the judge that Johannes is a danger to society and he needs to be removed for a lengthy period. 

He asked the court to make it abundantly clear that violence against vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated. 

“The court must send a strong message that such behaviour will no longer be tolerated in our society,” he told the judge. 

Mbanga Siyomunji, who acted on behalf of Johannes on instructions of Legal Aid, asked the court to show some mercy. 

He said the court should not make an example of Johannes by punishing him for the crimes of would-be offenders. 

Siyomunji asked for a sentence of not more than 20 years imprisonment. 

Judge Christiaan reserved her judgment on the sentence until 17 May. 

Johannes remains in custody at the section for trial awaiting inmates at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

- rrouth@nepc.com.na