Man murdered girlfriend: Police

By: WERNER MENGES

A RESIDENT of Otjomuise in Windhoek is expected to appear in a city court this week charged with murder, after his girlfriend was found two hours before the old year ended, with about five gunshot wounds to the head.

The murder suspect was arrested at Rundu on New Year's Day, said

the Commanding Officer of the Police serious crime unit, Detective

Chief Inspector Nelius Becker, on Friday.

A .22 revolver, believed to be the murder weapon, was found in

the man's possession, Becker added.

 

The firearm is thought to have been stolen previously from a

Rundu resident.

 

The suspect was arrested within 24 hours of the discovery of the

gravely wounded Monalisa Shirley de Kock (23), said to have been

his girlfriend.

 

According to the detective, witnesses claim they saw a taxi drop

off a man and a woman near the Ella du Plessis High School, in

Khomasdal, late on Wednesday evening.

 

The couple then walked away, out of the witnesses' view.

 

Shortly afterwards, local residents heard shots going off.

 

On going to investigate, an unidentified person found De Kock

gravely injured, with multiple gunshot wounds to her head.

 

Back at her boyfriend's home, Becker said, a letter from him was

found.

 

Detectives are treating it as part of an effort to create an

alibi for himself.

 

In the letter the suspect states that he has travelled to Rundu

to look for his girlfriend; but witnesses have told Police they saw

him and De Kock getting into a taxi elsewhere in Windhoek.

 

The witnesses said De Kock appeared to be forcing her into the

vehicle, Becker said.

 

Another witness has told Police the man was seen arriving home

alone later that night.

 

A .22 revolver, believed to be the murder weapon, was found in the

man's possession, Becker added. The firearm is thought to have been

stolen previously from a Rundu resident. The suspect was arrested

within 24 hours of the discovery of the gravely wounded Monalisa

Shirley de Kock (23), said to have been his girlfriend. According

to the detective, witnesses claim they saw a taxi drop off a man

and a woman near the Ella du Plessis High School, in Khomasdal,

late on Wednesday evening. The couple then walked away, out of the

witnesses' view. Shortly afterwards, local residents heard shots

going off. On going to investigate, an unidentified person found De

Kock gravely injured, with multiple gunshot wounds to her head.

Back at her boyfriend's home, Becker said, a letter from him was

found. Detectives are treating it as part of an effort to create an

alibi for himself. In the letter the suspect states that he has

travelled to Rundu to look for his girlfriend; but witnesses have

told Police they saw him and De Kock getting into a taxi elsewhere

in Windhoek. The witnesses said De Kock appeared to be forcing her

into the vehicle, Becker said. Another witness has told Police the

man was seen arriving home alone later that night.

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