Man gets two life sentences for raping grandmother, killing cousins
A man who was found guilty of brutally assaulting and raping his pensioner grandmother and then murdering his two minor cousins was sentenced to two life sentences in the Oshakati High Court yesterday.
Judge Duard Kesslau sentenced Tomas Menas Hifaanye to life for each of the murders, 15 years for the rape and 10 years for housebreaking with the intent to rob, and robbery.
Hifaanye (31) from Ondombe Yakayoli village in Angola committed the crime in 2019 at Okafitu ka KaTanyange village in the Omusati Region the day after Valentine’s Day.
He assaulted and raped his then 78-year-old grandmother and proceeded to kill his cousins.
The children - Thomas Malakia Ndapuka (7) and Linus Ndapuka (10) - had been sleeping next to their grandmother right before the incident occurred.
This is the same woman who had looked after Hifaanye.
Out on parole
Prior to committing the crime, the accused was in jail for murdering his girlfriend in the area of Onesi in the Omusati Region.
In 2019, New Era reported that Hifaanye was released on parole on 7 February, and returned home on 14 February. The very next day, he committed the atrocious crimes.
At the time, Hifaanye’s grandmother told New Era that until he murdered his girlfriend 10 years ago, he was a “sweet and disciplined” grandson. The pensioner said she wanted Hifaanye sentenced to life as she felt he was “unfit” to live amongst other people.
Since her grandchildren were murdered and Hifaanye was arrested, she has been staying with a neighbour as she no longer has family members to live with.
Judge Duard Kesslau sentenced Tomas Menas Hifaanye to life for each of the murders, 15 years for the rape and 10 years for housebreaking with the intent to rob, and robbery.
Hifaanye (31) from Ondombe Yakayoli village in Angola committed the crime in 2019 at Okafitu ka KaTanyange village in the Omusati Region the day after Valentine’s Day.
He assaulted and raped his then 78-year-old grandmother and proceeded to kill his cousins.
The children - Thomas Malakia Ndapuka (7) and Linus Ndapuka (10) - had been sleeping next to their grandmother right before the incident occurred.
This is the same woman who had looked after Hifaanye.
Out on parole
Prior to committing the crime, the accused was in jail for murdering his girlfriend in the area of Onesi in the Omusati Region.
In 2019, New Era reported that Hifaanye was released on parole on 7 February, and returned home on 14 February. The very next day, he committed the atrocious crimes.
At the time, Hifaanye’s grandmother told New Era that until he murdered his girlfriend 10 years ago, he was a “sweet and disciplined” grandson. The pensioner said she wanted Hifaanye sentenced to life as she felt he was “unfit” to live amongst other people.
Since her grandchildren were murdered and Hifaanye was arrested, she has been staying with a neighbour as she no longer has family members to live with.
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