South African truck driver denies killing woman

WINDHOEK, 03 APR  – A South African national accused of raping and murdering a 56-year-old woman in Windhoek some four years ago, has denied committing the offence.
The State alleges that South African national Willem Februarie raped and murdered Windhoek resident, Dinah Diedericks, at her home in Windhoek West on 21 June 2014.
The 38-year-old Februarie denied committing the offence when he entered a not guilty plea to the charges of rape, murder and crimen injuria in respect of the death of Diedericks at the start of his trial before High Court Judge Naomi Shivute here on Tuesday.
Februarie did not, however, offer a statement in respect of his not guilty pleas to the charges and challenged the prosecution to prove all allegations against him.
Februarie’s pleas to the three charges against him were entered as per the instructions he gave his State-funded defence lawyer, Mbanga Siyomuinji during consultation in preparation of the defence case.
He was arrested on 22 June 2014, a day after Diedericks was found dead outside her home.
According to the police, she was killed by way of strangulation shortly after she was allegedly sexually violated.
It is further that reported Februarie was the last person seen with the late Diedericks, while mobile telephone records indicate that he was also in the vicinity of Windhoek West from about 20h00 to 23h00 on the evening of 21 June 2014, when Diedericks was killed.
State Advocate Salomon Kanyemba is appearing for the prosecution.
Februarie remains in police custody at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility since his arrest with no option to post bail until Wednesday for the continuation of the trial.
NAMPA