The family of one of the girls who were murdered at Okahandja early last year say they are grateful for the breakthrough in the investigation, but still have many unanswered questions.
Roswinds Ernestu, an aunt of slain Roswinds Fabianu (7), says she is not convinced that Karinambande Muundjua (18) who was arrested on Saturday, is the mastermind behind the’ deaths.
Roswinds alleged murder came days after that of Ingrid Maasdorp (5) at the same town.
Ernestu, however, believes the mastermind behind the alleged murders has not been arrested yet.
“We want to see the killer and the real mastermind behind the murders. There’s no way this young boy did that on his own,” she says.
She says she does not want Muundjua to go to prison, but to get Roswinds back.
This comes after the police yesterday announced that Muundjua was arrested after DNA analysis confirmed a positive match between him and semen recovered from the crime scene where Roswinds was murdered.
Muundjua was apprehended and arrested while allegedly attempting to rape another girl (8) at knife point on Saturday.
He appeared in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was charged with murder, rape, kidnapping and defeating the course of justice regarding both Ingrid (5) and Roswinds (7).
Ingrid was last year found raped and murdered at Okahandja near the pre-primary school she attended.
Muundju a yesterday in court said he understood the charges. He then apologised to the court for the crimes he allegedly committed.
After learning about the arrest on Wednesday, the grieving aunt says no outcome could undo the pain of losing Roswinds. “I am grateful for what came to light, but we still want to know who the person is,” she said.
Ernestu said the family was not even informed of the arrest and only learned about it through the media.
She said the police are not keeping the family updated on the case.
“At least we can rest now, but the police had not informed us of anything. We’re only seeing the news on social media,” she said.
But Ernestu suspects someone else was also involved in the killings.
She is now calling on the police to continue interrogating the accused to establish the identity of anyone who may have collaborated in the crimes.
Roswinds’ grave was set on fire in April this year.
Beyonce !Kharuxas (15) was also murdered at Okahandja during the same time.
Okahandja has since been reeling in shock. Parents who spoke to The Namibian last year said they feared sending their children to school.
Both Ingrid and Roswinds were pupils at KW von Marees Combined School, with their bodies discovered close to the school.
The arrest has brought some relief, but for her mother, justice cannot bring back the child she lost.
Muundjua was yesterday denied bail and remains in custody for fear that he may reoffend.
The matter was postponed to 2 March 2027 to allow for further investigations and for the suspect to apply for legal aid.
Okahandja human rights activist Sethy Gariseb yesterday said the community is grateful for the arrest.
“We hope the leads are accurate and justice prevails,” he said.
Community member Queen Malagas yesterday said: “I’m very happy he was caught, because as a mother I was afraid for my child’s life.”
Earl Witbeen said the families of the murdered girls can rest knowing that the killer has been arrested.
He thanked the police for a “job well done”.
