Iuze Mukube
Judge Alfred Siboleka on Monday convicted four men on counts of murder, stock theft and defeating the course of justice.
The charges relate to the murder of stock theft investigator Hiambepo ‘Major’ Kazeurua on 28 December 2012 in the Gobabis district.
Stockley Kauejao, Matheu Kakururume, Muvare Kaporo and Afas Kamutjemo stood trial on these charges.
Kauejao, Kakururume and Kaporo were found guilty of murder, while Kamutjemo was acquitted of the offence. All of the accused were found guilty on counts of stock theft and defeating the course of justice.
It is alleged that 12 years ago, the accused unlawfully and intentionally stole 15 heads of cattle valued at N$75 000, belonging to Sacheus Mwashekeleh.
Additionally, the accused destroyed the ear tags of the cattle, and mixed the stolen cattle with other cattle on another farm.
They also attempted to brand or have the cattle branded with the registered brand mark of Kamutjemo.
Siboleka said it was undeniably clear that Kauejao was the mastermind of the crimes, involving Kakururume and Kaporo.
This is because Kauejao had approached the duo, promising to give them a hefty sum to drive the cattle from Mwashekeleh’s farm to his brother’s farm.
Kamutjemo drove the pickup which transported the cattle to Kauejao’s brother’s farm.
Mwashekeleh then reported the crime, and enlisted the help of Kazeurua to locate the stolen cattle.
Kazeurua’s investigation led him to Kakururume and Kaporo.
Later, Mwashekeleh and another witness spotted Kakururume and Kaporo leaving with Kazeurua in his vehicle.
Kakururume shed light on the circumstances leading to Kazeurua’s death.
He said him and Kaporo called Kauejao via telephone, informing him of their arrest.
This was also corroborated by Kaporo’s testimony.
It was at that stage that Kauejao, Kakururume and Kaporo agreed to kill the victim to prevent detection of the theft of the cattle.
Although Kauejao was not present at the crime scene, it is alleged that he gave directives via telephone for Kakururume and Kaporo to kill Kazeurua.
Kakururume told Kazeurua that he needed to pee.
After the vehicle stopped, he walked away.
This prompted Kazeurua to follow him.
Kaporo then followed the duo.
At or near Farm Brazil, Kakururume and Kaporo killed the victim by strangling him, or by throwing sand in his mouth to prevent him from breathing.
They then proceeded to burn and bury Kazeurua’s body.
In addition, they burned the victim’s vehicle.
Kauejao arranged to offer Kakururume and Kaporo money to leave Gobabis.
Siboleka stated that a State witness had recorded sufficient evidence that the accused acted with a common purpose to commit the crime of stock theft.
The prosecution stated that the deceased was unknowingly painfully stepping on Kauejao’s toes when he started investigating the whereabouts of the stolen cattle.
Siboleka added that the totality of the evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offences alleged against them.
The matter was postponed to 23 April 2025 for the fixing of dates for mitigation.