“I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
These are the words of Eliakim Taapopi (40) from Oshifukwa village in the Oshikoto region, who was arrested last year for allegedly killing his girlfriend.
In a bid to secure bail before magistrate Nelao ya France, Taapopi apologised to the family of the murdered Martha Aron (35) in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
He told the court that he needs to be granted bail because he is the sole provider of his children and elderly mother.
Taapopi was a taxi driver at the time of his arrest.
It is alleged that the accused approached Aron while she was braiding her hair at an Oshifukwa cuca shop and killed her in full view of her siblings last year.
This comes after she reportedly said she wanted to end their 11-month relationship.
Taapopi allegedly asked if they could resolve matters, but Aron refused.
“The suspect then threw a glass at Aron. He further took a kitchen knife from his car and stabbed Aron four times, resulting in her death,” the police’s report on the incident states.
Taapopi, who initially fled the scene, was arrested at a later stage.
He was expected to appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the continuation of his bail application.
Aron’s family is urging the state to strongly object to the granting of bail, saying their daughter deserves justice.
Aron’s sister, Soini Aron, on Tuesday told The Namibian outside the court that her sister’s children are suffering because their mother, who was their sole provider, was murdered in a cruel manner.
“We, the family, are strongly against the granting of bail to Taapopi. He must rot in jail because he is a killer. Our sister only worked for two years, and her life was taken away in the most horrible manner.
“She did not deserve to be murdered for ending a relationship. Her children are now orphans with no one to take care of them. Taapopi took away our provider and support system,” she said.
“Taapopi is cruel and cold-hearted. He murdered my sister in front of everyone, and he did not even care who was looking. He could’ve walked away, but he opted to kill her because he felt so powerful.
“The state must not grant him bail at all. He must rot in jail,” Soini said.
