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Mother accused of killing sondisputes psychiatric report

Vapeni Boois

A woman accused of murdering her one-year-old son in the Bethanie area two years ago is disputing a psychiatric report in which she was found fit to stand trial.

Vapeni Boois (36) told judge Philanda Christiaan in the Windhoek High Court yesterday that she is disputing the report compiled after she went through a period of psychiatric observation last year.

Repeating sentiments also voiced by her during previous pretrial hearings in the High Court in September, October and November last year, Boois added: “And on top of that, I also dispute this trial. It’s not actually supposed to happen.”

The state is alleging that she murdered her son, Amare Boois (1), in the Bethanie area in the //Kharas region on 12 January 2023.

Amare was allegedly stabbed 15 times with a knife or other sharp object.

The state is alleging that Boois buried the boy’s body in a shallow grave near Bethanie after he had been killed, and burned some clothes and other objects in an attempt to destroy evidence and frustrate a police investigation into Amare’s death.

Boois had left her mother’s house at Swakopmund, where she was staying, with her son three days before the boy was killed, the state is alleging as well.

The judge informed Boois yesterday that she is facing serious charges and could be sentenced to imprisonment if convicted.

However, Boois was adamant that she does not want to be represented by a lawyer and that she would proceed with her case without legal representation.

On behalf of the state, deputy prosecutor general Antonia Verhoef told Christiaan the findings reached in the psychiatric report are that Boois is fit to stand trial and can be held accountable for her alleged actions, but with diminished responsibility.

Boois commented on the report: “It’s a forgery.”

She also said: “I cannot be indicted. […] They can’t try me for a case that is delict. […] They can’t try me for a case that I’ve already won.” (sic)

Verhoef said with Boois disputing the psychiatric report, the court would first need to deal with the report before it proceeds with a trial.

She suggested that the psychiatrist who signed the psychiatric report be called to court to testify on her findings, and that copies of documents written by Boois and filed at the court should also be provided to the psychiatrist so she can give her professional opinion on that material.

Christiaan ordered the psychiatrist be subpoenaed to be present at the court on 31 March.

Boois is being held in custody.

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