WINDHOEK - The murder and robbery trial of the five men accused of breaking into the residence of Walvis Bay businessman Hans-Jorg Möller and shooting him when he came to the defense of his wife and children, is set to start in the Windhoek High Court today.
The crime, which eventially ended the life of Möller, was allegedly committed on June 17, 2016.
Panduleni Gotlieb (31), David Tashiya (30), David Shekudja (36), Elly Ndapuka Hinaivali (30) and Malakia Shiweda (29) are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit housebreaking with the intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking with the intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to the charge sheet, during June 2016 the accused planned to break and enter into the residence of the Möller family and to rob money and other valuable items from them, while armed with knives, firearms and other dangerous weapons. During the late night hours of June 16 or the early morning hours of June 17, 2016 - while the family was asleep - the five accused allegedly broke open a door and entered the house while wielding a pistol and other weapons and demanded money from Möller’s wife Carol-Ann, who went to investigate a noise she heard, the indictment reads.
When the deceased tried to assist his wife, Gotlieb shot him in the stomach and the accused continued to assault Carol-Ann while demanding money, it is alleged.
They then ransacked the house in search of money and other valuables whereafter they fled the scene with the stolen items, it is charged. Möller was then transported to the hospital where he succumbed the next day due to gunshot injuries he sustained in the shooting.
According to the State, the five accused acted with a common purpose.
The items stolen from the Möller family include seven cellphones valued at N$47 300, a laptop valued at N$18 500, an iPad worth N$3 500, the deceased’s wallet with various documents valued at N$1 200, one digital photo frame worth N$2 500, an unknown amount of foreign currency in Euros, British Pounds, US dollars, Zambian Kwachas, Zimbabwean Dollar and Botswana Pula. Also taken were N$8 200, a black laptop bag worth N$300, one black backpack worth N$350, one Canon EOS 600 D camera and large lens valued at N$18 000, bedside clock with alarm valued at N$2 300, jewellery worth N$56 000, three knives valued at N$4 800 and N$11 400 in envelopes meant for commissions.
Carol-Ann and her mother, Rita Sowden, who have been at every appearance of her husband’s alleged murderers, were at the court early waving their placards asking the courts not to grant bail to the accused, for whom they want life sentences as punishment.