Ex-girlfriend murderer sentenced to 32 years

ONGWEDIVA- Domingo AnOabeb (26) was sentenced to 32 years imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend in the Oshakati High Court last week.

An-Oabeb stabbed his exgirlfriend and mother of his children 11 times with a knife at Otavi in 2018.

The court heard that An-Oabeb went on a drinking spree before committing the murder. Before returning home that evening, he passed by a bar to buy more beer, and ended up stabbing his ex-girlfriend after an argument.

An-Oabeb maintained his innocence during cross-examination, justifying that he stabbed the deceased because she was holding and assaulting him.

Judge Johanna Salionga said during sentencing that murder is and remains undoubtedly the most serious offence.

She observed that the deceased also posed no threat, as she was not armed.

After initially being stabbed, the deceased fell on her knees. But An-Oabeb continued stabbing her several times, despite a request from a witness to stop.

The judge said although the Constitution guarantees and protects the right to life for everyone, AnOabeb showed no respect for the deceased’s right to life.

She added that there is a discord as to how the encounter unfolded due to the different versions of the witnesses, but that it could be accepted that an argument preceded the killing.

Salionga said whilst taking into account the personal circumstances of the accused and the crime, there is also an equally important need for society to root out the evil of domestic violence and violence against women.

Sentences meted out should, therefore, reflect the determination of courts in Namibia to give effect to and protect the Constitutional values of the inviolability of human dignity and equality between men and women. “The court further holds that the clear and unequivocal message which should resonate from the courts in Namibia is that crimes involving domestic violence would not be tolerated, and that sentences would be appropriately severe,” Salionga stressed.