The police yesterday arrested two women who allegedly destroyed evidence in an attempt to assist two young men accused of the gruesome murder of a transgender woman in Windhoek last week.
Police spokesperson Elifas Kuwinga, who confirmed the arrest of the two women, said one of them is a sister of one of the men arrested in connection with the killing of Christof Fredricks (30), while the other’s relationship to the alleged killers has not yet been established.
The mutilated body of Fredricks, who was a transgender woman, was found in the Otjomuise area of Windhoek on Thursday last week.
Fredericks had been stabbed some 32 times, and her genitals had been severed from her body, the police reported.
Two young men – Namwandi Elias Nandomba (19) and Melvin Beukes (18) – appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on charges of murder, defeating or obstructing the course of justice and violating a human body yesterday.
Nandomba was arrested at Swakopmund on Sunday, while Beukes was arrested in Windhoek on the same day.
Magistrate Surita Savage postponed their case to 31 July for further investigations to be carried out.
Public prosecutor Victor Mutumbulwa informed the court that the state was opposed to bail being granted to Nandomba and Beukes due to the seriousness of the charges they face, a fear that they might interfere with the investigation of their case, and in the public interest.
Savage ordered that Nandomba and Beukes should be held in custody until their next appearance in court.
Fredricks’ aunt Beniqna Visser has recounted that she was at home when she received a random call from a community member that a “[offensive term] had been murdered” at Otjomuise.
“My heart immediately dropped as soon as I received the call, because according to the caller, the deceased is identified as ‘Sexy Charmy’, which is what we call [Fredricks] at home.
“When we got to the scene, we immediately saw her black dress, hair and underwear on the ground,” Visser told The Namibian on Thursday.
Visser, who was emotional as she recounted the events, said part of her was still in denial and hopeful that Fredricks would return home.
She questioned why someone would be “so cruel to perform such a gruesome” act.
“I believe this was done by two or more people, because how can someone cut [Fredricks’] private parts and put it on her chest? Her body had about 32 stab wounds all over,” she said.
“At this point we are all clueless on who could possibly have done this, because she was never open to us on who she was romantically involved with,” Visser said.
Fredricks was last seen by family members on Wednesday morning when she packed her clothes before leaving to pay a friend a visit.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
