Iuze Mukube
Windhoek High Court Deputy Judge President Hannelie Prinsloo on Thursday set the trial of a man accused of killing his pregnant wife in 2014 to commence on 1 December 2025.
Johannes Swartbooi is facing a charge of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.
The charge is in connection with the death of his wife, Dorethea Riekert, at Aus settlement in the district of Lüderitz, who died after Swartbooi allegedly stabbed her multiple times with a knife. Riekert was four months pregnant at the time.
During the session on Thursday, Swartbooi’s lawyer, Dawn Marondedze, indicated that his client’s plea of guilt is not ready yet but that it will be by this Friday.
Swartbooi has indicated to the court that he will render a guilty plea on the charge of murder.
He is admitting that he killed his heavily pregnant wife while she slept, on the eve of Christmas, 24-25 December 2014.
He stated he stabbed her multiple times with a kitchen knife on the neck and body, and that he kicked her in the face.
Riekert was declared dead at the Lüderitz State Hospital on 27 December 2014, due to acute loss of blood from the injuries she sustained from multiple stab wounds.
Swartbooi resided with the deceased and their five minor children in the Khaubeb location in Aus.
Prinsloo ordered that Swartbooi should file his plea on 31 October 2025.
She then scheduled his trial to begin on 1 to 5 December 2025.
The State is represented by Antonia Verhoef.