An Otavi resident accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend by stabbing her with a knife two years ago denied guilt on a charge of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.
In a plea statement given to judge Claudia Claasen, Immanuel Venonja (25) denied that he stabbed his former girlfriend, Elisabeth Uwu-Khaes, in a bar at Otavi on 31 May 2024 and that he caused her death.
The state is alleging that Venonja killed Uwu-Khaes (21) by stabbing her in the back with a knife.
Uwu-Khaes died at a clinic at Otavi on 1 June 2024.
Venonja claimed in his plea statement that he was in a bar at the town when Uwu-Khaes arrived at the bar, helped herself to some of the alcohol he was drinking, and then hit his left eyebrow with a bottle as he was leaving the bar.
According to Venonja, Uwu-Khaes also stabbed his right ear with a broken piece of bottle.
“I fell, and while I was trying to stand up, I saw that the deceased [Uwu-Khaes] had a knife in her hand,” Venonja said in his statement.
“I grabbed her hand and we started wrestling and we both fell to the ground. The brother of the deceased started kicking me while I was on the ground, and I then stood up and ran away.”
Venonja also said: “I never stabbed the deceased and caused her death.”
He admitted that he and Uwu-Khaes had been involved in a domestic relationship previously and that they had a child together. Their relationship ended in February 2024, according to Venonja.
The state’s first witness in Venonja’s trial, Otavi resident Marcella Ubu-Khaes, testified yesterday that Venonja arrived at her home at about 23h00 on 31 May 2024.
She said he had an open wound above his left eye, and when she asked him what had happened to him, he told her he had been fighting.
He also told her he had stabbed Uwu-Khaes, the witness added.
She continued that she and Venonja went to the clinic at Otavi where Uwu-Khaes was being treated.
Relatives of Uwu-Khaes were present at the clinic, and wanted to start a fight with Venonja, she also told the court.
After she had returned home from the clinic, Venonja again arrived at her house and informed her that Uwu-Khaes had apparently died, she said.
The trial is continuing.
Venonja, who is being represented by legal aid lawyer Petrus Grusshaber, is being held in custody.
State advocate Olavi Nangolo is representing the prosecution.
