'He fell': Wife denies killing husband in Rundu

Sherinda Cloete (49), accused of murdering her husband Petrus Cloete (40), in Rundu, denied causing his death during her bail application hearing. She claimed Petrus’s fatal injuries were the result of several accidental falls in his "drunken state" and described the incident as an "unfortunate accident."The alleged murder occurred on 26 December near Sarasungu police river houses in Rundu. Petrus was rushed to the Rundu State Hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that day.Sherinda is accused of assaulting her husband with a mop stick and an electrical cord. Appearing before Magistrate Selma Shiiga at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court, her bail application was denied, and the case was postponed to 6 March to allow for further investigation.In her testimony, Sherinda stated that Petrus fell twice inside their home on a wet floor and once outside on a sandy and rocky surface. She denied using the mop stick or electrical cord to harm him and maintained that the injuries leading to his death were accidental.Public prosecutor Michael Munika opposed the bail application, arguing that the seriousness of the murder charge, the potential for interference with witnesses or ongoing investigations, the strength of the state's case, the risk of absconding, and the broader public interest were all factors against granting bail. He emphasized that releasing Sherinda could undermine the administration of justice.Sherinda’s lawyer Bernard Tjatjara challenged the state's position by highlighting inconsistencies in eyewitness accounts. He referred to the testimony of the investigating officer, who acknowledged receiving statements that presented conflicting versions of the incident.The investigating officer confirmed that a preliminary medical report indicated Petrus died from a brain haemorrhage caused by an assault. However, a post-mortem report is still pending. Eyewitness statements varied, with some alleging that Sherinda assaulted her husband, while others supported her claim that he fell on his own. One witness even revised their original statement, admitting they were not in a clear state of mind during the event.The state, however, countered that common sense suggests such falls could not have caused injuries severe enough to lead to death. They further argued that Sherinda's close relationship with some of the witnesses, many of whom are family members or live nearby, presented a significant risk of interference.Magistrate Shiiga denied Sherinda’s bail application, citing the seriousness of the charges, the potential for witness interference, and the unresolved nature of the case. The court emphasized that these factors necessitate keeping Sherinda in custody while investigations continue.The case will proceed, with Sherinda scheduled to reappear in court on 6 March. - nikanor@erongo.com.na

'He fell': Wife denies killing husband in Rundu

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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'He fell': Wife denies killing husband in Rundu

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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