State’s evidence overwhelming, says magistrate in Murangi bail denial
Staff Reporter
MAGISTRATE Monica Andjaba, who denied bail to 22-year-old Tjizake Murangi accused of murdering his girlfriend, Frieda Amadhila said he would abscond if given bail due to the seriousness of the charge. She added that the State have enough evidence that would most likely lead to a lengthy jail term if found guilty.
She added that the applicant testified that he had visited the deceased’s house on and that he went outside to vape, and whilst he had been outside, the deceased closed the door and started going through his phone.
Andjaba said that Murangi alleged that he used an iron bar to force entry into the house.
“The applicant testified that he was under the impression that the deceased wanted to have fun as she sat on top of him. It was shortly after that he realized that he was stabbed. The applicant claimed that he was stabbed on the neck and because of the scuffle with the knife, they both sustained injuries,” Andjaba read, reflecting on Murangi’s testimony.
She further added that Murangi, upon returning from the neighbour after seeking help, claimed that he found the deceased washing herself and assisted her in getting into the car.
On the way to Katutura Hospital, the applicant testified that the deceased was alive as they had a conversation until they approached the hospital. It is reported that the late Amadhila, who was an employee of a local bank, had been declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Magistrate Andjaba added that Murangi claimed that Amadhila sustained wounds from a knife scuffle and that he did not cause her injuries, but a post-mortem report showed that force was used.
For the Respondent, Detective Warrant Officer Joseph Sakaria from the Serious Crime Unit testified that pending investigations are lab results, statements, and cellphone records. He testified that the State is in possession of physical and circumstantial evidence that the deceased was murdered in an inhumane and barbaric manner by the applicant. The post-mortem revealed that the deceased was stabbed more than eight times, that the wounds were deep, and showed that they were caused by a strong person. In addition to this, it was revealed that there were two stab wounds that penetrated the rib cage.
The investigating officer further testified that two doctors’ reports showed that the wounds of the applicant (Murangi) seemed to have been self-inflicted, even though he claimed that the deceased stabbed him.
Detective Warrant Officer Sakaria further testified that the applicant had been living with her in her Ausspanplatz apartment and that they had a business together. However, upon termination of their partnership, the business dissolved. “The prima facie motive was that the deceased was cutting off all dependents,” the magistrate read.
“The notes from the submission of counsel state that the applicant has been in custody for eight months, but this is a natural consequence of arrest. In the circumstances, the Respondent (State) showed that it has a prima facie case against the accused, and it would not be in the interest of the public or administration of justice to release the applicant on bail if a substantial sentence would in probability be imposed. Taking all this into consideration, the applicant is denied bail,” Andjaba concluded.
