A woman accused of murdering two people in an arson attack in Windhoek is due to go on trial in the High Court near the end of April next year.
The dates for Mecthilde Karomo’s trial were set when Karomo (32) appeared before judge Claudia Claasen in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday.
Karomo’s trial is scheduled to start on 28 April 2025, and is to continue during the week from 12 May and the week from 3 June.
Karomo is facing two charges of murder and a count of arson, alternatively malicious damage to property.
The state is alleging she murdered two people by setting fire to a house in the Okahandja Park area of Windhoek on 26 December 2022.
According to the state, Karomo was involved in a romantic relationship with a man, Leonard Kadubuli (36), before he started a relationship with a 31-year-old woman, Anastasia Matende, shortly before his death. It is alleged that during the late hours of 25 December 2022, Karomo went to Kadubuli’s shack in the Okahandja Park area, where she demanded that he unlock the door while Matende was asleep inside.
Kadubuli refused to unlock the door, and a scuffle ensued between him and Karomo, the state is alleging.
It is also alleged that Karomo threatened to burn down Kadubuli’s house and to kill both him and Matende.
During the early morning hours of the next day, Karomo allegedly returned to Kadubuli’s house and set it alight while Kadubuli and Matende were asleep inside.
The shack house burnt to the ground. Kadubuli and Matende both died in the fire.
Karomo was arrested on the same day.
She was held in police custody until the end of May this year, when she was released on bail in an amount of N$3 000.
Defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji is representing Karomo.
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