Officer to be tried for killing wife

THE trial of an officer in the Namibian Police who is accused of murdering his school principal wife at Rundu in September last year is scheduled to take place in the High Court in Windhoek between the middle of April and mid-May.

The trial of Warrant Officer Gerald Kashamba (50) has been set down on the High Court roll between April 14 and May 14, Kashamba was informed when he made a pre-trial appearance in the High Court on Thursday last week. Kashamba is admitting that he shot his wife, Laurentia Kashamba, at Rundu on September 8 last year, but he is denying guilt on the charge of murder that he is facing as a result of the shooting, according to a pre-trial indication of Kashamba’s intended plea that has been filed with the High Court.Kashamba is denying that he had the intention to murder his wife, according to the pre-trial plea outline filed with the court.Kashamba is charged with a count of murder and an alternative charge of negligent discharge or handling of a firearm.It is alleged in the indictment against Kashamba that an argument broke out between him and his wife after he had arrived at the couple’s home on the day of the incident.During the argument, Kashamba shot his wife at least once with a firearm, it is alleged.She died at the scene.Mrs Kashamba was the principal of Ndama Primary School at Rundu.Kashamba is admitting that he shot his wife, Laurentia Kashamba, at Rundu on September 8 last year, but he is denying guilt on the charge of murder that he is facing as a result of the shooting, according to a pre-trial indication of Kashamba’s intended plea that has been filed with the High Court.Kashamba is denying that he had the intention to murder his wife, according to the pre-trial plea outline filed with the court.Kashamba is charged with a count of murder and an alternative charge of negligent discharge or handling of a firearm.It is alleged in the indictment against Kashamba that an argument broke out between him and his wife after he had arrived at the couple’s home on the day of the incident.During the argument, Kashamba shot his wife at least once with a firearm, it is alleged.She died at the scene.Mrs Kashamba was the principal of Ndama Primary School at Rundu.