A Woman accused of murdering her one-year-old son in the //Kharas region two years ago admitted to a psychiatrist that she killed her child by stabbing him to death.
Vapeni Boois also told psychiatrist Hilen Ndjaba that after she had killed her son by stabbing him in the neck and abdomen with a knife, she buried his body in a shallow grave in a sandy riverbed, according to a psychiatric evaluation report on which Dr Ndjaba testified in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.
“She stated that at that point in time she also wanted to kill herself by cutting herself on both arms to end the suffering of both,” Dr Ndjaba recorded in the report.
She also recorded that Boois told her she had sought help with her baby from her mother and that there was an argument between her and her mother, who encouraged her to look for a job and take care of herself and her baby.
She killed her son “to end both their suffering and pain of the world and that they both experienced enough pain in their lives”, Dr Ndjaba recounted in her report.
The state is alleging that Boois (36), who is a former police officer, murdered her son, Amare Boois (1), in the Bethanie area on 12 January 2023.
Amare was allegedly stabbed 15 times with a knife or other sharp object.
The state is also alleging that Boois buried the boy’s body in a shallow grave 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.
Dr Ndjaba testified yesterday after Boois informed judge Philanda Christiaan during a previous court appearance near the end of January that she is disputing the report prepared after she had gone through a month of psychiatric observation in March and April last year.
In the report it is stated that Boois was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, combined with persistent depressive disorder.
Dr Ndjaba and other mental health experts who assessed Boois concluded that she is fit to stand trial and can be held accountable for her alleged actions.
They also found that at the time she allegedly murdered her son, “she was overwhelmed and depressed” but still able to appreciate the wrongfulness and consequences of her actions, although she had a diminished responsibility for her deeds.
Boois told the judge yesterday that she is still disputing Dr Ndjaba’s report. “I don’t have any disorder,” she said.
She also said she has proven that she is not mentally disturbed, adding that she was sent for mental observation against her will.
“It’s an insult; it’s a forgery,” Boois said about the psychiatric evaluation report.
Dr Ndjaba told the court Boois showed clear symptoms of borderline personality disorder, such as impulsivity, depression and feelings of hopelessness.
When she allegedly killed her son, Boois realised what she was doing was wrong, but could not restrain herself because at that point she was going through feelings of hopelessness, impulsivity and a preoccupation with death, Dr Ndjaba said.
Christiaan said at the end of the hearing yesterday that she will give her ruling on the report on 22 April.
Deputy prosecutor general Antonia Verhoef represented the state.
Boois is being held in custody.
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!
