Young man hears fate in June over girlfriend’s death

WINDHOEK, 30 APR  – A young man who allegedly stabbed and killed his pregnant teenage girlfriend at Mariental in October 2012, will hear his fate at the beginning of June this year.
Charles Michael Swartz, 21, who was 19-years-old at the time, stands accused of killing Sara van der Westhuizen, who was pregnant with his child, on 03 October 2012 in Mariental in the Hardap Region.
High Court Judge Alfred Siboleka, who is presiding over the murder trial, was scheduled to hand down judgement on the matter on Monday, but could not do so because he was unable to finish writing the verdict on time due to other official commitments.
Judgement on the matter will now be delivered on 07 June 2018 at 09h00.
Swartz is facing a charge of murder and another count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in that during September 2012, he allegedly assaulted 15-year-old Van der Westhuizen on various occasions by kicking her and beating her with steel wire on her back.
Swartz is also charged with assault by threat when he allegedly threatened to kill State witness, Anna Maria Baisako, on 03 October 2012.
According to the summary of substantial facts contained in the indictment, Swartz was warned by Police Constable Sylvanus Umati to stop assaulting Van der Westhuizen on the day of the alleged murder.
The indictment states that on the evening of 03 October 2012, Swartz allegedly went to the parental house of the deceased and called her outside. When the girl joined him, he stabbed her at least six times before she managed to run into the safety of the house but he followed her.
She tried to hide behind Baisako, but Swartz allegedly threatened to kill her and then stabbed Van der Westhuizen once more in the neck.
Van der Westhuizen died as a result of multiple stab wounds she sustained to her neck and chest.
Swartz has been in custody since his arrest shortly after the incident.
State appointed defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomuinji is appearing for Swartz, while Advocate Dominic Lisulo appears for the prosecution.

NAMPA