Iuze Mukube

Alleged State House intruder Giano Seibeb has been declared a State patient, after a court yesterday found him untriable and unaccountable for his actions at the time of the offence.

This is according to a ruling delivered by Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, Olga Muharukua, yesterday.

The magistrate stated that she was satisfied with the mental history of the accused that was presented before the court via a mental evaluation report.

The report indicated that Seibeb suffers from schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

Additionally, at the time of the alleged offence, Seibeb allegedly committed the offences while he was suffering from a mental condition that could have made him incapable of appreciating or realising the wrongfulness of his act and the consequences of his actions.

It further indicated that he was incapable of understanding or following the court proceedings against him or making a proper defence.

The report also indicated that he was unfit to stand trial and that he was not criminally liable or accountable for the offence, as his actions were influenced by a mental defect.

According to the report, Seibeb indicated that, at the time of the incident, he was hearing a voice telling him that he was the president and that he should go to the president’s house because people were waiting for him to become the president.

His mother supposedly took him to Windhoek Central Hospital’s mental health ward on 4 April 2025 after reporting that he was behaving strangely, claiming to be a prophet and hearing voices that other people could not hear.

He allegedly escaped from the ward multiple times, the fourth time when the alleged trespassing incident took place.

The report also noted that he had a history of using cannabis and mandrax.

Having considered the report and the State’s undisputed application for Seibeb to be declared a State patient, Muharukua stated that she was satisfied that the requirements of the relevant section of the CPA had been met.

As a result, she directed that Seibeb be detained in a mental facility.

Seibeb made a first appearance in May 2026, after he allegedly trespassed into State House in late April 2026 and was reportedly found completely unclothed in one of the wings.

He faced three charges, including trespassing, housebreaking with intent to commit a crime unknown to the State, and contravening section 7(b) of the Combating of the Immoral Practices Act.

The State alleged that on 30 April 2026, Seibeb unlawfully entered or was on the land or building situated at State House without the permission of the lawful occupier.

It further alleges that on 21 April 2026, the accused in the district of Windhoek unlawfully and intentionally broke and entered the house of one Saima Haitembu, a police officer, with intent to commit a crime unknown to the State.

It is also alleged that Seibeb unlawfully and intentionally exhibited himself in an indecent manner by undressing himself and being naked while in a building situated in the State House.

Milton Engelbrecht represented Seibeb and the State by Reinhardt Kamatoto.