Iuze Mukube

Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen yesterday set the trial of Tjizake Murangi, who is accused of stabbing his former girlfriend with a knife, to commence with his plea on 9 October.

If Murangi tenders a plea of not guilty, the matter will continue from 26 to 30 October 2026, 9 to 13 November 2026 and additional dates set for next year from 29 March to 2 April 2027.

Murangi indicated that he may possibly enter a plea of guilty on the charges.

He faces nine charges, including murder, housebreaking with intent to murder, assault, fraud (alternately theft), two counts of theft, two counts of forgery and uttering a forged document. The murder and assault charges are read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.

The State alleges that Murangi murdered his former girlfriend, Frieda Amadhila (29), by stabbing her multiple times with a knife at her Windhoek flat between 7 and 8 April 2024.

It is further alleged that he broke into the flat before attacking her and subsequently stabbed himself in the throat.

At the time of the incident, the Namibian Police reported that neighbours alerted them about the couple’s fight and, upon arrival, found the flat locked.

Amadhila had also called the City Police to report housebreaking prior to the police receiving a call about her death.

It is alleged that Murangi drove to Katutura State Hospital to seek medical intervention for the deceased, but she was declared dead upon arrival.

Murangi has previously denied responsibility for Amadhila’s death.

During a bail hearing, he claimed that Amadhila had been the aggressor and that her fatal injuries were sustained during a struggle over a knife, which he alleged she had used to stab him first.

The State further alleges that Murangi assaulted Amadhila in February 2024, after which she ended their relationship.

In prior proceedings, the State indicated it has physical and circumstantial evidence revealing that the deceased was murdered in an inhumane and barbaric manner.

This includes a postmortem report that showed that the deceased was stabbed more than eight times, the wounds being deep, indicating they were inflicted by a strong person.

Amadhila also suffered defensive wounds, however, she got overpowered, and the wounds on her knees indicated she could not defend herself during the attack.

The report further specified that there were two stab wounds that penetrated the rib cage, and three wounds had reached the heart of the deceased.

Murangi also faces fraud, theft and forgery-related charges arising from allegations that he fraudulently sold communal land in the Otjombinde area for N$70 000 and stole four heads of cattle belonging to Amadhila, her estate and her sisters.