Man accused of rape, murder of girlfriend awaits May verdict
The murder and rape trial of a 29-year-old Gobabis man has concluded, with his verdict set to be delivered on 15 May.
On Monday, State prosecutor Ethel Ndlovu and defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji presented their final submissions before the verdict will be handed down in the case of Abel Mokalabatho.
He faces one count of murder, three counts of rape, one count of kidnapping and defeating the course of justice, following an incident in August 2020 in which he allegedly assaulted and killed his then girlfriend.
Siyomunji told High Court judge Naomi Shivute that the State had failed to provide evidence proving that Mokalabatho unlawfully and intentionally killed his girlfriend.
"Intention has not been proven, and therefore, I believe the charge of murder could be reduced to culpable homicide".
He also told the judge that it was impossible for Mokalabatho to have kidnapped the woman, as she was his girlfriend.
Violent end
The State questioned why Siyomunji sought to have the charge reduced, given that Mokalabatho had initially denied any involvement in the killing.
Mokalabatho was accused of following his girlfriend to the toilet and subsequently raping her, an allegation he has denied.
The State further claimed that after the assault, Mokalabatho forcibly took her to his house, where he committed the second and third counts of rape.
On the charge of murder, Mokalabatho allegedly stabbed the victim in the neck with a knife and strangled her with a piece of wire.
On Monday, State prosecutor Ethel Ndlovu and defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji presented their final submissions before the verdict will be handed down in the case of Abel Mokalabatho.
He faces one count of murder, three counts of rape, one count of kidnapping and defeating the course of justice, following an incident in August 2020 in which he allegedly assaulted and killed his then girlfriend.
Siyomunji told High Court judge Naomi Shivute that the State had failed to provide evidence proving that Mokalabatho unlawfully and intentionally killed his girlfriend.
"Intention has not been proven, and therefore, I believe the charge of murder could be reduced to culpable homicide".
He also told the judge that it was impossible for Mokalabatho to have kidnapped the woman, as she was his girlfriend.
Violent end
The State questioned why Siyomunji sought to have the charge reduced, given that Mokalabatho had initially denied any involvement in the killing.
Mokalabatho was accused of following his girlfriend to the toilet and subsequently raping her, an allegation he has denied.
The State further claimed that after the assault, Mokalabatho forcibly took her to his house, where he committed the second and third counts of rape.
On the charge of murder, Mokalabatho allegedly stabbed the victim in the neck with a knife and strangled her with a piece of wire.
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