Solitary cells irk cell murder accused

THE three men accused of brutally killing a fellow Windhoek Central Prison inmate yesterday have complained about their dark solitary cells.

Rukero Herman, Benedictus Afrikaner and Malaechi Seibeb allegedly stabbed Eddie /Gomxob (33) to death with sharpened metal brackets in January.It is alleged that a soured love affair between the four men resulted in /Gomxob’s death.Since the incident, the men have been kept in solitary confinement.During their second appearance on a charge of murder yesterday, the men complained about the solitude and the lack of light in the cells.According to them, they are taken out of their cells for one hour per day only.Magistrate Leah Shaanika postponed the matter in Herman’s absence after he was removed from court because of rowdiness.Their case was postponed to Wednesday, August 15, for further Police investigations to be done and for the trio’s lawyers to be at court.The Directorate of Legal Aid has appointed Loretta Muvungua for Herman and Afrikaner and Veto Uanivi for Seibeb.Public Prosecutor Menencia Hinda represented the State during yesterday’s court appearance.Crime-scene photos depict /Gomxob’s lifeless body in a pool of blood. He is suspected to have succumbed to multiple stab wounds to his face, neck and chest.It is alleged that /Gomxob and Herman were initially in a relationship, after which the younger man dumped him for Afrikaner and later for Seibeb. /Gomxob allegedly did not want to accept that things between him and Herman were over and kept harassing him. It is further claimed that Herman and Afrikaner planned to kill /Gomxob.On Wednesday, January 18, /Gomxob was allegedly lured to the prison toilets by Herman – under the pretence of wanting to have sex with him in Cell 4.Soon after Herman and /Gomxob were in the toilet, Afrikaner allegedly joined them and the two inmates attacked /Gomxob.Seibeb allegedly heard /Gomxob screaming for help and also rushed to the toilet. Although he claimed to have been trying to stop the attack, eyewitnesses implicated him and he was also charged with the murder.The men were removed from Cell 4 to prevent them from interfering with State witnesses.Confirming the allegations of a multi-partner relationship between the four men, Chief Inspector Barry de Klerk in January said: ‘It’s a very different world in there [prison].’The four men were serving sentences ranging from rape to escaping from lawful custody, attempted murder, housebreaking and theft, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.