Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Werner Menges
Published on 2024-02-21 07:04:39
Pineas Heita, a 45-year-old Oshikoto region resident, was convicted of the murder of his 26-year-old wife, Helena Heita, after hitting her with his car. The incident occurred on a road in Oshivelo on 21 March 2014. The tragic incident that led to Helena’s fatality resulted in Heita’s trial in the Oshakati High Court. Judge Johanna Salionga was responsible for delivering the sentencing at the conclusion of the trial. The court found Heita guilty of murder, which was committed without the direct intention to kill, as well as driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s licence.
During the sentencing, Judge Salionga remarked that although Heita did not plan to murder his wife, he committed a dangerous and reckless act by driving his pickup while she was lying on the bonnet of the vehicle. The judge also highlighted that there was evidence suggesting a history of violence in the Heita’s marriage. Heita claimed that his wife had been armed with a knife and had been violent towards him. Additionally, a cousin of Helena told the court that Heita had previously severely beaten his wife. These statements indicated a violent and abusive relationship between the couple.
Through the trial, Heita testified that he had driven the vehicle with his wife on the bonnet and that she had carried a knife. He explained that she fell off and was hit by the car when he made a U-turn after she did not jump off the car as he had hoped she would. The court heard that several of Helena’s ribs were fractured and her liver was seriously injured when she was hit. She succumbed to her injuries two days after the incident while receiving treatment at a hospital.
Judge Salionga rejected Heita’s claims that he had acted in self-defence. The court found that his conduct was “grossly reckless,” and that he knew it was dangerous to drive his pickup with his wife on the bonnet. Consequently, Heita was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, with five years suspended for a period of five years on the condition that he is not convicted of murder during the suspension period. Additionally, he was sentenced to pay a fine of N$1,000 or serve a jail term of three months for driving without a valid driver’s licence.
Pineas Heita had been held in custody since he was found guilty four months prior to his sentencing. It was revealed that the couple had two children, and that Heita was the father of one of her children. Heita was employed at an agricultural supplies shop and worked with the Ministry of Health and Social Services in an HIV testing program before his conviction.
The prosecution was represented by State advocates Taodago Gaweseb and Martha Hasheela, while Heita was represented in the defense by lawyer Silas-Kishi Shakumu.
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