Farmworker guilty of axe murder, rape

A farmworker who beat his 59-year-old employer to death with an axe and then raped and kidnapped his wife four years ago was found guilty yesterday.Judge Naomi Shivute found Kazana Nicolaus Hausiku (27) guilty on charges of murder, rape, kidnapping and aggravated robbery, as well as driving a vehicle without a licence and reckless and/or negligent driving.The incident took place on 10 November 2018 on the couple&#039;s resettlement plot in the Otjimbingwe area near Karibib.Hausiku worked as a gardener on the farm and hit the deceased - who was well-known in rugby circles - behind the head with an axe. He then threatened the deceased&#039;s wife in the house with a panga and raped her.He loaded some of the couple&#039;s belongings into their vehicle and forced the woman to get into the passenger side.The woman, who cannot be named, testified during the trial that Hausiku was driving very fast and that the vehicle overturned on a dirt road.She fled and was found hours later by a passer-by and taken to a police station.She had not realised that Hausiku had killed her husband and only found out when she returned to the farm.Claimed self-defenceDuring the trial, Hausiku claimed that he killed the deceased in self-defence, but state witnesses testified that Hausiku attacked the farmer from behind.The State also argued that the deceased posed no danger to Hausiku, as Hausiku had already - according to his own testimony - taken the axe from him.Hausiku further claimed that he did not steal anything and it was only his own belongings that he loaded into the vehicle.He also said the deceased&#039;s wife offered to take him to Karibib and that he did not kidnap her.The deceased&#039;s wife testified to the contrary in the Windhoek High Court. She said Hausiku threatened her and forced her to get into the car with him. She also testified that it was not only his belongings in the vehicle.Hausiku claimed she was driving the vehicle, but a state witness confirmed that the woman&#039;s injuries - caused by the seat belt - indicated that she was indeed in the passenger seat.‘Sex was consensual’Hausiku denied that he ever raped the deceased&#039;s wife. During the trial, a forensic expert testified that DNA samples obtained from the woman and her clothes during the investigation could be linked to him.After this was made public, Hausiku argued that he and the deceased&#039;s wife had consensual sex a few days before.The woman rejected this statement during her testimony and Shivute said in her judgment that Hausiku&#039;s version of events constantly changed and that his lack of consistency undermined his credibility.According to her, the State succeeded in proving its case and Hausiku&#039;s explanations could not be relied upon.The matter was adjourned until 12 September for final arguments before sentencing.̶ kristien@republikein.com.na

Farmworker guilty of axe murder, rape

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Farmworker guilty of axe murder, rape

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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