Magistrate’s dismissal holds up murder case

THE sentencing of Johannes Gawab, convicted earlier this month of murdering his lover, was postponed in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court after presiding Regional Magistrate Hosea Noabeb was sacked by the Magistrates’ Commission.

The Commission found Noabeb guilty on various misconduct charges and dismissed him just two days before the sentencing hearing that was scheduled for February 19.The sentencing was postponed until August.Gawab shot his lover, Anna Fransina Dreyer, three times in the abdomen at a house in Keetmanshoop’s Tseiblaagte residential area on November 19 2005. During the trial Gawab told the court that he acted in self-defence after being attacked by Dreyer’s relatives. But Magistrate Noabeb said in his verdict that there was no imminent threat to Gawab life and that he intended to kill Dreyer. Gawab remains free on bail until the sentencing. luqman@namibian.com.na