Khorixas
Thirty-six-year old Jesaya Njiluuua, who stands accused of the murder of Collin Kasoana (25), a porter at Twyfelfontien, was on Monday denied bail by Khorixas Magistrate Ruben Ntuku, due to ongoing police investigations into the case.
Njiluuua was arrested on Friday after he allegedly stabbed Kasoana in the left side of the neck with a knife during a fight. According to Khorixas police commander Hiskia Nuuyoma, a fight broke out after Njiluuua sat next to a woman in a truck used by employees of Twyfelfontien Country Hotel. “He (Njiluuua) is said to have sat down next to a woman on Thursday, who is said to have been in an affair with him.
“One of the men asked him why he was sitting next to her, before pouring a beer on the murder accused,” Nuuyoma told New Era. After the beer was poured on Njiluuua, a fight broke out inside the truck after Njiluuua asked the man why he had poured beer on him.
Njiluuua is said to have fought with four men from Louw Inn until they reached the DRC location, where many Twyfelfontien Country Hotel employees live.
The fifth accused, who is the deceased, allegedly struck Njiluuua on the arm with a brick, following which, the murder accused is said to have run to his house, where he reportedly took out a knife, which he used in the stabbing. He reportedly stabbed Kasoana in the left side of the neck at around 22h00 that day, according to the police.
Njiluuua is said to have escaped from the four men and gone into hiding until a police van arrived. He handed himself over to the police as soon as they arrived, according to Nuuyoma. “Maybe he was afraid for his life as he ran away after he stabbed the deceased, but he handed himself over when he saw the police van,” the local police chief said.
Njiluuua remains in police custody. Njiluuua may still submit a formal bail application, the magistrate said. His case was postponed to July 28 to enable the murder accused to apply for legal aid.
In another crime incident 24-year-old Patrick Thaniseb, who works as a barman at Twyfelfontien, was arrested for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl at Bergsig settlement on Saturday last week. According to Nuuyoma, Thaniseb and the girl had consensual sex, but due to her age he was arrested for statutory rape. It was reportedly not the first time the two had intercourse.
Thaniseb appeared in the Khorixas Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and remains in custody due to ongoing police investigations, but has been told can submit a formal bail application. His case was postponed to July 26.
Twyfelfontien is situated 97 km from Khorixas and is home to well-known tourist attractions, such as the famous Bushmen paintings and engravings.