DNA delays PG in engineer’s murder trial

The absence of a DNA report has resulted in the delay of a decision by prosecutor general (PG) Martha Imalwa on the type of charges to arraign two persons accused of murdering an engineer.

Muningandu Kaapama (29) and Jorene Bezuidenhoudt (28) are charged with murdering NamPower employee Benjamin Silombela at his house in the Eros suburb on 24 May 2023.

They are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft of a motor vehicle.

Public prosecutor Rowan van Wyk yesterday informed magistrate Monica Andjaba that the DNA analysis was completed, but the report on the analysis was still outstanding during an appearance of the accused at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

The appearance was for the decision of the PG.

Van Wyk, however, asked for a further postponement for the PG decision. Andjaba remanded the matter to 30 May for the PG’s final decision.

The State alleges that the duo murdered Silombela (41) in his house in Eros, Windhoek, on 24

May, and robbed him by stealing items, including a television and his Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

During their bail hearing last year, detective inspector Joseph Ndokosho, informed the court that Silombela was found tied up and gagged on a floor in his house after his car had been found abandoned at Okahandja.

Ndokosho said Silombela was found covered with a duvet. His hands were tied behind his back, his legs were bound, and his mouth was gagged.

He died due to suffocation, Ndokosho said.

In affidavits provided to the magistrate during their bail application, Kaapama and Bezuidenhoudt claimed that they partook in drugs with the victim when he made sexual advances towards Bezuidenhoudt, which she rebuffed.

They claim a scuffle then ensued between them and the victim, but that they left him alive when they left his house.

A local daily reported last year that Ndokosho told the magistrate that cellphone contact between Silombela and Bezuidenhout led him to Bezuidenhoudt’s home in the Okahandja Park area of Windhoek.

In her house, three bank cards, clothing, a television remote control and house keys belonging to Silombela were found, he said.

Silombela’s cellphone was found with Kaapama’s father, who told the police Kaapama had brought it to his house, Ndokosho testified at the time.

- rrouth@nepc.com.na