Ngatjizeko matricide trial verdict expected in April

THE verdict in the trial of matricide accused Natangwe Ipinge Ngatjizeko, who is charged with the murder of his mother in Windhoek almost six years ago, is scheduled to be delivered on April 18 next year.

Ngatjizeko (33) heard that he will face a further five months in custody awaiting the finalisation of his trial after closing arguments on the judgement to be delivered by Judge Nate Ndauendapo were heard in the High Court in Windhoek on Monday.His trial started in June 2010.Ngatjizeko is accused of murdering his mother, retired State House aide Phenny Ipinge (58), in her house in Katutura in Windhoek on December 17 2006.Ipinge was killed when she was stabbed some 39 times with a knife, or knives.In a plea explanation given to the court at the start of his trial Ngatjizeko stated that he did not deny that he had stabbed his mother repeatedly, and that he had also poured boiling water over her.He however denied having done so intentionally, and claimed that he was suffering from a mental defect, caused by years of drug abuse, at the time of the incident. Ngatjizeko also claimed that as a result of this mental condition he was not able to properly appreciate the wrongfulness of his deeds.A confession which Ngatjizeko made on December 20 2006 is part of the evidence before the court. In that statement, he related that he had killed his mother because he believed she was a witch.A State psychiatrist who examined Ngatjizeko during his trial has reported to the court that he was not mentally ill, but that he was suffering from ‘psychoactive substance induced psychosis’ at the time of the incident.The psychiatrist reported that Ngatjizeko was suffering from a mental disorder at the time his mother was killed, and that although he understood the nature of what he was doing ‘his intention was the consequence of a delusion’. The court was also informed that Ngatjizeko’s ability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions and to act in accordance with such an understanding was diminished at the time of the incident.Ngatjizeko has remained in custody since his arrest a day after the killing.He is being represented by defence counsel Jan Wessels. State advocate Constance Moyo is prosecuting.