Second Kleine Kuppe triple murder suspect rearrested

A SECOND suspect who is set to be tried for the murder of three people during a late-night robbery at a house in Windhoek’s Kleine Kuppe area in early 2004 appeared in the High Court in Windhoek for the first time yesterday.

Paulus Aaron Willibard (28) made a pre-trial appearance before Judge Louis Muller two days after he had been rearrested by the Namibian Police in connection with the murder of Windhoek residents Mario de Sousa (46), his wife, Magda de Sousa (43), and a friend of the couple, Tiaan du Plessis (‘Koos’) Stoop (40), at the De Sousas’ home in Kleine Kuppe during the evening of February 27 2004. Willibard was the first suspect arrested in early March 2004 in connection with the triple slaying at the De Sousa home.The Prosecutor General however decided in early September last year to withdraw all charges against him and three co-accused and to continue to prosecute only one other suspect, Joseph Hangome (33), in connection with the murders.That decision was reversed when Hangome made the latest in a series of pre-trial appearances in the High Court last month.By then, the Prosecutor General had decided that Willibard and Hangome should both stand trial in connection with the murder of the De Sousa couple and Stoop.The De Sousas and Stoop were shot dead after a group of armed men had gained entrance to the yard of the house where they were socialising.A young woman who was in their company was the only survivor of the night’s events.Having shot the De Sousas and Stoop, the attackers fled from the scene with two cellphones and a handbag belonging to Mrs De Sousa.One of the alleged members of the gang that carried out the attack, one Hosea Johannes, was killed in Windhoek in a shootout with the Police on March 6 2004.It is claimed that both firearms used in the murder of the three victims were found in his possession.With his appearance in court yesterday, Willibard was informed that he has to attend another pre-trial hearing in the High Court on July 24 in order to have his legal representation sorted out in preparation for his trial.Hangome has to attend another pre-trial hearing on September 18.Both men remain in custody in the meantime.Willibard was the first suspect arrested in early March 2004 in connection with the triple slaying at the De Sousa home.The Prosecutor General however decided in early September last year to withdraw all charges against him and three co-accused and to continue to prosecute only one other suspect, Joseph Hangome (33), in connection with the murders.That decision was reversed when Hangome made the latest in a series of pre-trial appearances in the High Court last month.By then, the Prosecutor General had decided that Willibard and Hangome should both stand trial in connection with the murder of the De Sousa couple and Stoop.The De Sousas and Stoop were shot dead after a group of armed men had gained entrance to the yard of the house where they were socialising.A young woman who was in their company was the only survivor of the night’s events. Having shot the De Sousas and Stoop, the attackers fled from the scene with two cellphones and a handbag belonging to Mrs De Sousa.One of the alleged members of the gang that carried out the attack, one Hosea Johannes, was killed in Windhoek in a shootout with the Police on March 6 2004.It is claimed that both firearms used in the murder of the three victims were found in his possession.With his appearance in court yesterday, Willibard was informed that he has to attend another pre-trial hearing in the High Court on July 24 in order to have his legal representation sorted out in preparation for his trial.Hangome has to attend another pre-trial hearing on September 18.Both men remain in custody in the meantime.