WINDHOEK – The alleged murderer of 18-year-old Paulina Nghidinitango, who was strangled to death made a pre-trial appearance before Judge Nate Ndauendapo on Tuesday last week.
The judge postponed the matter to February 25 when Moses Ndiiweda Puleni’s trial dates will presumably be fixed.
It is alleged the suspect killed Nghidinitango by strangling her with a piece of clothing raping her it is alleged.
Puleni was at the time a security guard at the premises where Nghidinitango also worked as a bar lady.
Information provided at the time suggested Puleni and the deceased were involved romantically.
It is alleged Puleni and the deceased were together at the shebeen in Albert Conradie Street in Katutura on December 31, 2011 when he attacked her and bound her up with pieces of cable and/or wire.
He then proceeded to rape her whereafter he killed her by strangling her with his bare hands and/or a piece of wire and/or smothering her with a towel.
He also robbed the shebeen of N$69 000 in cash, two cellphones, a pair of spectacles, three wallets, an unknown amount of liquor, an unknown amount of cigarettes, MTC airtime vouchers, a Nokia cellphone charger, two bundles of keys and two identity documents belonging to the deceased and/or Josef Siwombe and/or Matine Siwombe. Puleni, who hails from the Ohangwena Region was arrested three days after the gruesome discovery was made in the Damara location section of Katutura.
He faces charges of murder, rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Puleni was remanded in custody.
By Roland Routh