Family shooting trial set for February

THE trial of Windhoek resident Michael Endjala, who is accused of trying to murder four members of his family in October last year, is scheduled to take place in the Windhoek Regional Court late in February next year.

Endjala (29) was informed that his trial is set to take place on February 26 and 27 when he made his first appearance in the Regional Court on Friday. Endjala, who has been detained since his arrest on October 20 last year, is set to remain in custody until the start of his trial, he was also informed during a brief appearance before Magistrate Christie Mostert.The Prosecutor General has instructed that Endjala should be prosecuted on four charges of attempted murder, alternatively negligent discharge or placement of a firearm, Endjala heard when he made his last previous court appearance a month ago.All the charges relate to a shooting incident that took place on October 20 last year at the rented flat where Endjala, his wife and their three children were living in Garnet Street in Khomasdal.It is alleged that Endjala shot his wife, Prescilla Endjala, her sister, Dorothy Gatyeni, his and his wife’s then eight-year-old son, Le Branco, and their 16-month-old daughter, Pheliswa (‘Nissy’), with a 9mm pistol.Mrs Endjala was shot in the chest, her sister and Nissy Endjala were both shot in the abdomen, and the boy was struck in the one leg.They all survived.Endjala took his seriously wounded daughter to a private hospital in the city after the shooting.He was later arrested at the hospital.Endjala admitted that he was responsible for the shooting when he unsuccessfully applied to be released on bail in December last year.When asked about the circumstances under which the shooting happened, though, he said he would rather speak about that at his trial.He has since then pleaded not guilty to four charges of attempted murder.During the bail application, Endjala also declared that he was not known as a violent person and that he was “really not a bad person”.He pleaded to be released on bail so that he could continue to shoulder his responsibilities as his family’s only breadwinner.He failed with his bail application, though, and on Friday Endjala told reporters after his court appearance that his family was going through very hard times as a result of his continued detention.Mrs Endjala and the couple’s children were seen visiting Endjala at the court’s holding cells after his case had been postponed for the start of his trial.Endjala was employed as a sales manager at a supermarket in Windhoek at the time of the incident.His wife had previously also tried to get a domestic violence protection order issued against him, the Magistrate who heard his bail application was informed during the bail hearing.Defence lawyer Sisa Namandje is representing Endjala.Endjala, who has been detained since his arrest on October 20 last year, is set to remain in custody until the start of his trial, he was also informed during a brief appearance before Magistrate Christie Mostert.The Prosecutor General has instructed that Endjala should be prosecuted on four charges of attempted murder, alternatively negligent discharge or placement of a firearm, Endjala heard when he made his last previous court appearance a month ago.All the charges relate to a shooting incident that took place on October 20 last year at the rented flat where Endjala, his wife and their three children were living in Garnet Street in Khomasdal.It is alleged that Endjala shot his wife, Prescilla Endjala, her sister, Dorothy Gatyeni, his and his wife’s then eight-year-old son, Le Branco, and their 16-month-old daughter, Pheliswa (‘Nissy’), with a 9mm pistol.Mrs Endjala was shot in the chest, her sister and Nissy Endjala were both shot in the abdomen, and the boy was struck in the one leg.They all survived.Endjala took his seriously wounded daughter to a private hospital in the city after the shooting.He was later arrested at the hospital.Endjala admitted that he was responsible for the shooting when he unsuccessfully applied to be released on bail in December last year.When asked about the circumstances under which the shooting happened, though, he said he would rather speak about that at his trial.He has since then pleaded not guilty to four charges of attempted murder.During the bail application, Endjala also declared that he was not known as a violent person and that he was “really not a bad person”.He pleaded to be released on bail so that he could continue to shoulder his responsibilities as his family’s only breadwinner.He failed with his bail application, though, and on Friday Endjala told reporters after his court appearance that his family was going through very hard times as a result of his continued detention.Mrs Endjala and the couple’s children were seen visiting Endjala at the court’s holding cells after his case had been postponed for the start of his trial.Endjala was employed as a sales manager at a supermarket in Windhoek at the time of the incident.His wife had previously also tried to get a domestic violence protection order issued against him, the Magistrate who heard his bail application was informed during the bail hearing.Defence lawyer Sisa Namandje is representing Endjala.