Forensic results in Otjomuise murder case still outstanding

WINDHOEK, 13 APR – The results of forensic tests in the case of an Otjomuise resident who allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend at their flat in the capital in October last year, are still outstanding.
The 41-year-old Erastus Heita allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend Maria Megameno Kamati, 29, in Windhoek’s Otjomuise residential area on 02 October 2017.
Court documents availed to Nampa on Friday show that Heita made another appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on Thursday.
His murder case was remanded until 18 July 2018 to allow the police to obtain the outcome of tests conducted by the National Forensic Laboratory of Namibia.
Heita appeared before Windhoek Magistrate Antonius Ndeshitila Shapumba, while Idda Hertha Itembu represented the prosecution.
He was remanded in custody with no option to post bail after he was refused bail when he made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on 03 October 2017.
At the time, Public Prosecutor Victoria Thompson strongly objected to the granting of bail because of the seriousness and complexity of the murder charge he faces.
Other reasons for the refusal of bail were that it would not be in the interest of the administration of justice and public to release Heita on bail as police investigations were still at a premature stage.
Meanwhile, Heita was last year informed by presiding Magistrate Bernedine Kubersky to bring a formal bail application before court if he wants to be released on bail.
His case is being dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act of 2003, which warrants long custodial sentence in case of conviction.
Namibian Police Force spokesperson, Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi told Nampa at the time of the incident the deceased and the suspect allegedly had an argument.
“He then allegedly shot Kamati in the head with a nine millimetre Makarov pistol,” she said.
He, thereafter, handed himself over to the police at the Windhoek Police Station.
Police officers found the deceased’s body lying on their bed with a gunshot wound to the head.
Heita and Kamati were reportedly in a nine-year relationship and had two children.
The weapon used during the incident was found at the scene and confiscated.
NAMPA