Family begs court to reverse decision

• Alleged Rundu killer granted bail
Kudumo stands accused of killing his traditional wife, Andeline Augustinus Chicalu, on 2 August 2022.
Kenya Kambowe
Kenya KamboweRundu

A family has begged the Rundu Magistrate’s Court to reverse its decision after it granted murder accused Christian Kudumo bail.

Kudumo stands accused of killing his traditional wife Andeline Augustinus Chicalu on 2 August 2022.

The victim’s mother Elizabeth Chicalu (49) this week pleaded with the court to reverse its decision as she fears for her life and that of her grandchildren, who the accused had threatened to kill before.

A shattered Chicalu was amongst family and friends who yesterday handed over a petition at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court to put pressure on the justice system and cancel the N$5 000 bail.

“When he murdered my daughter, I did not feel well and I am struggling to come to terms with her death. She was my first born and a breadwinner at home,” she said.

“When I heard that the accused got bail, I got angry because it was just five months after he took my child’s life.

“When you kill, the law is clear. You get sentenced, but why must they grant him bail? He must be kept in prison until such a time the court sentences him for what he did,” she said.

Threats

Chicalu said the suspect had previously threatened to kill his entire family, adding that the safety of the couple’s three children is compromised when he is out on bail.

“We all know how he threatened my daughter. He knows that the children live with me. What will stop him from coming to kill us once he comes out of custody? He must remain there. If he comes out and kill us all, what will the court say?” Magistrate Sonia Sampofu granted Kudumo bail on 10 January, and remanded the matter to 5 April pending a decision by the prosecutor-general.

The family has since appealed the decision and called for the cancellation of the bail. They also warned that they will not be liable if anything is to happen to Kudumo if he is seen wandering the streets. The appeal is due to be heard on 27 February.

Toxic

Kudumo was arrested last August after Andeline’s lifeless body was discovered with a blow to her head. It is alleged he hit her with a traditional axe. A probe into what triggered the alleged murder found that the couple’s relationship was at the point of collapse, with the victim insistent on ending the marriage.

The couple reportedly often fought about the suspect’s failure to take care of his family, despite receiving both a salary and a government disability grant.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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