Father gets two life sentences for killing own kids

WINDHOEK, 13 JUL – A man who was in November 2017 found guilty of murdering his two minor children here in December 2009, was sentenced to two life sentences in the High Court on Thursday.
Jonas Penovanhu Shinana, 39, was punished over the death of Matheus Shinana, 6, and Emilia Naatye Shinana, 4, whose throats were slit with a knife between 23 and 24 December 2009 at their Wanaheda house.
The former Windhoek-based security guard was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two counts of murder with direct intention to kill.
The life sentences will run concurrently.
“Instead of protecting the two minor children, you chose and decided to end their lives in the manner you did,” said High Court Judge Nate Ndauendapo as he sent Shinana behind bars for life.
Someone sentenced to life imprisonment would only be eligible to be considered for release on parole or probation after serving at least 25 years in prison without committing or being convicted of any crime or offence during that period.
Meanwhile, Shinana maintains he did not commit the act that led to the death of his children.
In his mitigation evidence before court on 24 November 2017, Shinana said his “heart pains deeply” that the children lost their lives. He claims to neither have knowledge of the incident nor know the person who murdered them.
Shinana also informed the court he does not need to ask for any forgiveness from the family of the deceased, because he is not the one who killed the children.
In addition, he is still challenging the police to find the person who committed the brutal offenses.
Shinana’s trial was handled by the court in accordance with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act (Act 4) of 2003 that warrants a long direct custodial sentence upon conviction.
Evidence presented during trial had it that Shinana was found unconscious after he unsuccessfully attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself with a rope shortly after murdering the children that fateful day.
Shinana will serve his life sentences at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility.
State Advocate Palmer Khumalo appeared for the prosecution.
Bradley Basson, acting on the instructions of the Directorate of Legal Aid, represented Shinana.
(NAMPA)