Arson murderer jailed for 35 years

FORMER teacher Efraim Rachimo Haradoëb was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment yesterday for the murder of his girlfriend in late 1998.

Judge Mavis Gibson convicted Haradoëb, a 35-year-old father of seven children, on Wednesday last week on charges of murder and arson in connection with the fiery attack that ultimately claimed the life of his girlfriend, 23-year-old teacher Regina Kastoor, in November 1998. The Judge found that the evidence had shown that – despite his protestations of innocence – Haradoëb was responsible for an attack on Kastoor in her room in the hostel of the C.!!Oaseb Secondary School at Gibeon on November 16 1998.During the attack, petrol was poured over Kastoor and she was set alight.The injuries that she sustained proved fatal.She died 10 days later in a hospital in Windhoek.Haradoëb had planned the attack beforehand because he mistakenly believed that Kastoor had infected him with HIV, and he was jealous of a new boyfriend with whom she was starting a relationship after she had terminated her relationship with Haradoëb, the Judge found.The crime of murder is by its nature very serious, because it violates the fundamental law of Namibia, namely the Constitution, which protects and guarantees every Namibian’s right to life, Judge Gibson told Haradoëb during his sentencing in the High Court in Windhoek.”Further, the offence is made particularly serious because of the prevalence of crimes of violence.The loss of life of an innocent and unsuspecting human being is not lightly regarded,” she added.She pointed out that Haradoëb had been convicted of a type of crime – one involving violence against a woman, with a man being the perpetrator – that had been a particular source of concern in Namibia in recent years.Stated Judge Gibson: “In most cases of murder, as here, the victim is usually a woman or child.This particular group is seen as an easy target because they cannot match their strength against that of a man to defend themselves.But such men are cowards, who ignore the changes in our society that have been brought about by the Namibian Constitution.””In terms of the Namibian Constitution, men and women are equal.Thus, if a woman chooses to reject this man and accept another she is only exercising the rights bestowed on her by the Constitution,” she continued.”Women and children in this society need to feel secure to lead their lives in peace and safety.The prevalent outbursts of atrocious acts of violence that some men show are not acceptable.Women need to feel that they are free to exercise the choices that a lawful society can give.To that end the courts need to give sentences that are harsh, but balanced and just, according to the circumstances of each case.”Included in the circumstances of Haradoëb’s case in Judge Gibson’s opinion was evidence that he was already armed with a half-litre container of petrol, ready for the coming attack on Kastoor, when he arrived at her flat in the hostel the day before the attack.”This was clearly a well thought out and well planned attack,” the Judge noted.”The fact that the accused, who remained in the flat as the flames enveloped the desperate Miss Kastoor, did nothing to put out the flames, notwithstanding her screams, confirms the direct intent to kill.That is why I found that his intention was to burn her to death.That cruel and inhumane act is startling in a human being of obvious sophistication and education, which you are,” she told Haradoëb.”As a teacher you were supposed to teach children the difference between right and wrong, you were to be a role model, an example of a responsible and law-abiding member of society,” she said.”Your criminal actions have destroyed those expectations.What is more, you have not expressed any remorse, but maintained your denial in spite of the overwhelming evidence and the conviction,” she added.She sentenced him to 35 years’ imprisonment on the murder count, and to a concurrent five-year jail term on the arson charge.Rolanda Gertze represented the State when Haradoëb’s trial resumed earlier this month after an interruption of six years, which was caused by his escape from Police custody in Windhoek on February 1 2000.Zagrys Grobler represented Haradoëb during the sentencing phase of the trial.The Judge found that the evidence had shown that – despite his protestations of innocence – Haradoëb was responsible for an attack on Kastoor in her room in the hostel of the C.!!Oaseb Secondary School at Gibeon on November 16 1998.During the attack, petrol was poured over Kastoor and she was set alight. The injuries that she sustained proved fatal.She died 10 days later in a hospital in Windhoek.Haradoëb had planned the attack beforehand because he mistakenly believed that Kastoor had infected him with HIV, and he was jealous of a new boyfriend with whom she was starting a relationship after she had terminated her relationship with Haradoëb, the Judge found.The crime of murder is by its nature very serious, because it violates the fundamental law of Namibia, namely the Constitution, which protects and guarantees every Namibian’s right to life, Judge Gibson told Haradoëb during his sentencing in the High Court in Windhoek.”Further, the offence is made particularly serious because of the prevalence of crimes of violence.The loss of life of an innocent and unsuspecting human being is not lightly regarded,” she added.She pointed out that Haradoëb had been convicted of a type of crime – one involving violence against a woman, with a man being the perpetrator – that had been a particular source of concern in Namibia in recent years.Stated Judge Gibson: “In most cases of murder, as here, the victim is usually a woman or child.This particular group is seen as an easy target because they cannot match their strength against that of a man to defend themselves.But such men are cowards, who ignore the changes in our society that have been brought about by the Namibian Constitution.””In terms of the Namibian Constitution, men and women are equal.Thus, if a woman chooses to reject this man and accept another she is only exercising the rights bestowed on her by the Constitution,” she continued.”Women and children in this society need to feel secure to lead their lives in peace and safety.The prevalent outbursts of atrocious acts of violence that some men show are not acceptable.Women need to feel that they are free to exercise the choices that a lawful society can give.To that end the courts need to give sentences that are harsh, but balanced and just, according to the circumstances of each case.”Included in the circumstances of Haradoëb’s case in Judge Gibson’s opinion was evidence that he was already armed with a half-litre container of petrol, ready for the coming attack on Kastoor, when he arrived at her flat in the hostel the day before the attack.”This was clearly a well thought out and well planned attack,” the Judge noted.”The fact that the accused, who remained in the flat as the flames enveloped the desperate Miss Kastoor, did nothing to put out the flames, notwithstanding her screams, confirms the direct intent to kill.That is why I found that his intention was to burn her to death.That cruel and inhumane act is startling in a human being of obvious sophistication and education, which you are,” she told Haradoëb.”As a teacher you were supposed to teach children the difference between right and wrong, you were to be a role model, an example of a responsible and law-abiding member of society,” she said.”Your criminal actions have destroyed those expectations.What is more, you have not expressed any remorse, but maintained your denial in spite of the overwhelming evidence and the conviction,” she added.She sentenced him to 35 years’ imprisonment on the murder count, and to a concurrent five-year jail term on the arson charge.Rolanda Gertze represented the State when Haradoëb’s trial resumed earlier this month after an interruption of six years, which was caused by his escape from Police custody in Windhoek on Febr
uary 1 2000.Zagrys Grobler represented Haradoëb during the sentencing phase of the trial.