Businessman Shaduka denies murdering wife

BUSINESSMAN Lazarus Shaduka has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murdering his wife in Windhoek last year by shooting her in the back of her neck.

After more than seven and a half months in custody following his arrest, Shaduka was asked to plead to a charge of murder when he made his latest appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court last Friday.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge in which it is alleged that he murdered his wife, Selma Shaimemanya, in Windhoek on July 13 last year by shooting her in the back of the neck.
Shaduka (35) has remained in custody since his arrest, with two bail applications in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court and a bail appeal in the High Court all dismissed last year.
His continued incarceration is bringing financial ruin to his businesses, Shaduka’s lawyer, Hennie Barnard, told Magistrate Claudia Claasen before Shaduka pleaded to the charge on Friday.
According to two sworn statements by employees of Shaduka that Barnard handed to the court, a construction firm owned by Shaduka, Shaduka Building and Construction CC, has lost over N$2 million after it had to stop work on a major project in the Otjozondjupa Region following Shaduka’s arrest. It also lost over N$600 000 when it had to stop work on another project at Ondangwa.
A shop that Shaduka owned at Helao Nafidi, VS Market, has also closed since his arrest, the court was informed.
According to financial statements of Shaduka’s close corporation that were also provided to the court, Shaduka Building and Construction lost N$121 755 in the financial year to the end of February.
In the year to the end of February 2008, it had made a pre-tax profit of N$433 122.
Barnard charged that the prosecution is deliberately and maliciously delaying Shaduka’s case, and while this is happening Shaduka’s business is going under because of his incarceration. Because of this, he is considering again applying for Shaduka’s release on bail, Barnard said.
Magistrate Claasen postponed the case to May 29 for the Prosecutor General to make a decision on the further course the case would take.
She ordered that this would be a final postponement for that purpose.
werner@namibian.com.na

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.