Charcoal worker killer still awaits second mental evaluation

WINDHOEK, 15 OCT  – A man on trial in the High Court on several counts of rape and a charge of murdering a two-year-old boy at Outjo in 2012, is still waiting to be admitted for a second psychiatric evaluation.
State Advocate Ethel Ndlovu informed High Court Judge Nate Ndauendapo on Monday that the prosecution has already forwarded all the necessary papers to the superintendent of the Windhoek Central Hospital’s psychiatric section, where the accused, Johannes Likuwa Hausiku, is scheduled to undergo a second 30-day psychiatric evaluation.
However, Hausiku is not yet admitted to the psychiatric unit for mental examination because there is no bed available for him at the moment, she said.
Hausiku’s alleged rape and murder case was, therefore, postponed to 15 November 2018 to allow the management of the hospital’s psychiatric section to find a bed for him.
The outcome of his second psychiatric observation will also be made public in court that day.
He will now be admitted for his second mental evaluation during the course of this month and his second mental observation will be conducted by two local psychiatrists – one employed by the State and another from a private practice.
Initially Hausiku, 42, was found unfit to stand trial during his first 30-day psychiatric evaluation conducted by State Psychiatrist, Dr Hileni Ndjaba at the Windhoek Central Hospital during 2017.
Ndjaba found that Hausiku was incapable of understanding court proceedings and could not put up a proper defence during trial.
Not satisfied with these findings, Ndlovu approached the High Court on 03 August 2017 with an urgent application, asking the court to allow Hausiku to be sent for a second observation.
The prosecution alleges Hausiku’s first observation was not conducted properly as per the provisions of Section 79 of the Criminal Procedures Act of 1977.
Hausiku is alleged to have kidnapped and raped a woman at Outjo in the Kunene Region on the night of 30 May 2012.
He then also allegedly murdered the woman’s two-year-old son and hindered police investigations by telling her to report to the police that she had been attacked and her son was killed by four unknown men.
Hausiku is also alleged to have kidnapped, raped and robbed two other women in January 2012.
He remains in police custody at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility, where he has been held since his arrest.
State-funded defence lawyer Hipura Ujaha is defending Hausiku.
(NAMPA)