Iuze Mukube

Piet Ritief Gamaseb, who faced charges including murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice in connection with the death of his common-law wife in 2022 was found guilty.

The Outjo resident was convicted on Wednesday by Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen.

Gamaseb, who is alleged to have killed his domestic partner, Davie Bokkie Hannes, by striking her with an iron bar on the head and dumping her body at her mother’s house, was, however, acquitted on the second count.

It is alleged the incident occurred at the couple’s residence in the Soweto location of Outjo on 12 March 2022. Court documents point to the couple, coming from drinking at a local bar, arriving home, but a subsequent argument erupted after the deceased allegedly continued snoring even after the accused told her to stop.

Consequently, the accused allegedly hit her with an iron bar on her head and body and kicked her.

It is further alleged the accused collected a wheelbarrow and transported the body and dumped it at her mother’s house in the 7De Laan location in Outjo. Gamaseb allegedly also removed or washed off the deceased’s blood from his residence and cleaned the yard and disposed of a red cloth.

Subsequently, the accused allegedly made a report to the police and other people that the deceased left his residence prior to her death.

He allegedly claimed that the deceased was stoned to death by Oshiwambo-speaking men and that she was involved in bar fights.

Witness evidence indicates that shortly before sounds of an assault were heard coming from the couple’s residence, the accused was heard complaining about meat missing from a pot that he had left prior to going out. The accused was allegedly heard beating the deceased, and the deceased was heard breathing, which the State alleges was the snoring that prompted the accused to further assault Hannes after warning her to stop snoring, and she did not.

The mother of the deceased testified that the accused came to her house looking for her daughter and subsequently pointed out where her body was lying. The sister of the accused also testified that the accused came to borrow the wheelbarrow that is alleged to have been used to transport the body.

Other witnesses allegedly saw the accused picking up the deceased and forcefully dropping her to the ground, which Gamaseb denied, saying that he was merely helping her up from the ground.