Tjiriange corpse burning and robbery case to High Court

THE case of a Windhoek resident accused of murdering his cousin by shooting him several times before he drove around with the victim’s body in the boot of a car and eventually set the body on fire in the veld was transferred to the High Court for trial yesterday.

Elias Nhinda Tjiriange (27), also known as ‘Flavour’, has been facing a charge of murder since being arrested on December 21 2004. He is accused of killing a cousin of his, Villi Heikky Taukondjelwa Asino (24), in Windhoek on December 20 2004.After allegedly killing Asino by shooting him at least six times with a 9mm pistol in the head and neck, Tjiriange stole Asino’s vehicle, a cellphone, a phone charger and some clothing, it is also alleged.He allegedly put Asino’s body into the boot of Asino’s car and drove around with it until he later that day dumped the body in the veld near Okahandja Park in Windhoek.Tjiriange had allegedly bought some petrol before he dumped the body.He is accused of having doused the body with the petrol and setting it on fire with an intent to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.He also allegedly washed the car’s boot in an effort to remove traces of Asino’s blood.Tjiriange’s case was transferred to the Windhoek Regional Court for trial early last year.Since then, though, little progress has been made with the case as it went through a succession of postponements without a trial starting.Yesterday, Tjiriange returned to the Regional Court for his latest appearance.Public Prosecutor Karin Esterhuizen informed Magistrate Gert Retief that the State was withdrawing the charges against Tjiriange – but this was not the end of the matter for him.Tjiriange was immediately taken to another courtroom of the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura, where he appeared before Magistrate Desmond Beukes to be informed that the Prosecutor General had given instructions that he should be arraigned in the High Court.In that court he will be charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating or obstructing the course of justice or attempting to do so, alternatively violating a dead body, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.Tjiriange pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court in January last year.He was first granted bail of N$8 000 in late February last year, and this was reduced to N$5 000 a month later.While free on bail he failed to appear in court early last month.His bail was finally cancelled and the bail money forfeited to the State last week.Tjiriange has in the meantime been rearrested on another charge of armed robbery which he allegedly committed while free on bail.He was informed yesterday that he has to make a first pre-trial appearance in the High Court on September 20.He remains in Police custody in the meantime.He is accused of killing a cousin of his, Villi Heikky Taukondjelwa Asino (24), in Windhoek on December 20 2004.After allegedly killing Asino by shooting him at least six times with a 9mm pistol in the head and neck, Tjiriange stole Asino’s vehicle, a cellphone, a phone charger and some clothing, it is also alleged.He allegedly put Asino’s body into the boot of Asino’s car and drove around with it until he later that day dumped the body in the veld near Okahandja Park in Windhoek.Tjiriange had allegedly bought some petrol before he dumped the body.He is accused of having doused the body with the petrol and setting it on fire with an intent to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.He also allegedly washed the car’s boot in an effort to remove traces of Asino’s blood.Tjiriange’s case was transferred to the Windhoek Regional Court for trial early last year.Since then, though, little progress has been made with the case as it went through a succession of postponements without a trial starting.Yesterday, Tjiriange returned to the Regional Court for his latest appearance.Public Prosecutor Karin Esterhuizen informed Magistrate Gert Retief that the State was withdrawing the charges against Tjiriange – but this was not the end of the matter for him.Tjiriange was immediately taken to another courtroom of the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura, where he appeared before Magistrate Desmond Beukes to be informed that the Prosecutor General had given instructions that he should be arraigned in the High Court.In that court he will be charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating or obstructing the course of justice or attempting to do so, alternatively violating a dead body, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.Tjiriange pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court in January last year.He was first granted bail of N$8 000 in late February last year, and this was reduced to N$5 000 a month later.While free on bail he failed to appear in court early last month.His bail was finally cancelled and the bail money forfeited to the State last week.Tjiriange has in the meantime been rearrested on another charge of armed robbery which he allegedly committed while free on bail.He was informed yesterday that he has to make a first pre-trial appearance in the High Court on September 20.He remains in Police custody in the meantime.