Two men accused of murdering a farming couple in the Gobabis district in early 2018 have made a first appearance in the Windhoek High Court, where they are due to stand trial on two counts of murder and seven other criminal charges.
The first pretrial hearing of farmworkers Bernadus Afrikaner (35) and Salathuel Unaeb (47) before judge Christie Liebenberg on Thursday ended with the postponement of their case to 20 July.
Afrikaner and Unaeb are accused of robbing and murdering farming couple Armin Riedel (68) and Brunhild Riedel (66) at the farm Grunfeld in the Gobabis district on 20 January 2018, and setting fire to the couple’s house after they had been killed. The couple’s bodies were inside the house when it was destroyed by fire.
Afrikaner and Unaeb, who were employed by the Riedels, were arrested in connection with the alleged murder of the couple seven months after the incident.
The state is alleging that Afrikaner and Unaeb overpowered Brunhild Riedel outside her and her husband’s house and forced her back into the house on 20 January 2018. In the house, they allegedly killed her in an unknown manner.
Armin Riedel was also overpowered, and was killed in the house when he was shot, the state is alleging in its indictment.
According to the indictment, it is claimed that Afrikaner and Unaeb stole a pistol, knives, a cutlery set, clothing and bedding from the house before they set it alight.
The house and goods valued at about N$570 000 were destroyed in the ensuing blaze.
A witness who saw part of the attack on the couple was threatened by the two men, who told him to keep quiet about what he had seen, the state is also alleging in its indictment.
Afrikaner and Unaeb are charged with two counts of murder and charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, arson, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful supply of a firearm to someone not licensed or authorised to possess the firearm, and assault by threat.
According to the state, Afrikaner and Unaeb tried to sell the pistol stolen from the Riedels on the day they were murdered to someone at Gobabis on 17 February 2018.
The two accused are being held in custody.
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