The Katutura Magistrate’s Court has postponed a case of a Windhoek resident accused of viciously attacking and killing his wife last year.

Inock Mazala Nalisa, who is currently in police custody, could not be present at court due to the lockdown within correctional facilities countrywide.

As a result, his case was postponed to 14 September by magistrate Leopold Hangalo.

Last week, Namibian Correctional Services commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela announced that correctional facilities countrywide will be on lockdown from 8 to 31 July. This lockdown was imposed to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. 

Consequently, inmates from the facilities will not be allowed to attend court sessions, and would also not have face-to-face visitations. During court proceedings, prosecutor Victoria Valombola said police investigations are not yet completed in the case. She said there are several witness statements and laboratory results that are still to be obtained.

The prosecution is charging Nalisa with a count of murder, read with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act. 

Nalisa is accused of murdering his wife Petra Minikonzo Nyakwambo (30) by stabbing and hitting her with a
hammer at the back of her head following an argument, court documents show.

The wife died instantly. The incident occurred at the couple’s residence in Windhoek’s informal settlement of Okahandja Park on 30 October 2020.

According to police reports, Nalisa fled the crime scene after the tragic incident. He later handed himself over at the Wanaheda police in the early hours on 2 November 2020, and has been in police custody since after being denied bail during his first court appearance.

-mamakali@nepc.com.na