Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Mbanga Siyomunji

Also known as: Siyomunji · Mbaga Siyomunji

Society

Woman convicted of murdering two people in December 2022 arson

The News

Mecthilde Karomo was found guilty on two murder charges and arson after setting fire to her boyfriend's house in Windhoek on 26 December 2022, killing Leonard Haupindi and Annastasia Matende. The judge found that Karomo, triggered by jealousy over Haupindi's new girlfriend, foresaw the possibility of death when she set the fire knowing they were inside or likely to be inside.

Why it matters

A Windhoek woman's conviction for setting a fatal fire that killed two people underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and jealousy-driven crime in the city.

21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Woman convicted of murdering two people in December 2022 arson

    Mecthilde Karomo was found guilty on two murder charges and arson after setting fire to her boyfriend's house in Windhoek on 26 December 2022, killing Leonard Haupindi and Annastasia Matende. The judge found that Karomo, triggered by jealousy over Haupindi's new girlfriend, foresaw the possibility of death when she set the fire knowing they were inside or likely to be inside.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. Fishrot trial should proceed despite ongoing appeals, defence argues

    A defence lawyer representing one of ten accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial has argued to the High Court that proceedings should continue while appeals against earlier rulings are pursued, citing delays since 2021 and the constitutional right to trial within a reasonable period. Other defence lawyers largely supported the argument, though one disagreed, and the judge is scheduled to hear further oral arguments on 24 April.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Fishrot trial postponed as recusal application stays proceedings

    The Fishrot case has been postponed to 24 April 2026 as former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala pursues leave to appeal a ruling dismissing his request for Judge Marelize du Plessis to recuse herself. Ricardo Gustavo's lawyer argues the repeated delays infringe the accused's right to a speedy trial and violate constitutional rights.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Murder accused's confession statement read in child death trial

    A warning statement from Edward Nkata, accused of murdering nine-year-old Akundaishe Natalie Chipomho in 2020, was read in Windhoek High Court, in which he claims he kicked the child during a confrontation and that she died the next day, after which he and his wife dumped and burned her body in a municipal skip container. Nkata and his wife Caroline, along with the child's mother Rachel Kureva, face charges including murder, violating a dead body, and related offences.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 30 March

  1. High Court overturns bail refusal in Namcor fraud case

    Windhoek High Court judges found that a magistrate misdirected himself in refusing bail to six individuals accused in a purported N$400 million fraud at Namcor, citing selective assessment of evidence and failure to consider individualised circumstances and mitigating bail conditions. The six appellants—Peter and Malakia Elindi, Immanuel Mulunga, Olivia Dunaiski, Leo Nandago, and Jennifer Hamukwaya—were granted bail ranging from N$20,000 to N$50,000, subject to travel restrictions and regular reporting requirements.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 March

  1. Witness describes alleged abuse at Nkata residence where child died

    A neighbour testified in the trial of three accused of killing nine-year-old Akundaishe Natalie Chipomho that she witnessed aggressive beatings of children at the Nkata residence in Windhoek. The witness said she observed one child being hit with a belt and heard screaming that sounded like fear coming from the house, supporting State allegations that the accused kicked and beat the girl with objects, leaving her dead in a garage before her body was disposed of.

    27 March 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Defence urges acquittal in arson murder trial

    The defence in the trial of Mechtilde Karomo, accused of setting her lover and his girlfriend alight in a fire in Okahandja Park on 26 December 2022, has urged the Windhoek High Court to acquit her of murder and arson charges, arguing the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that her confession was obtained under duress and in violation of procedural requirements.

    26 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia's justice system evolves 36 years after independence

    Namibia's judicial system has transformed from a racially discriminatory colonial and apartheid-era instrument into a constitutional democracy grounded in the rule of law and equal protection. Since independence in 1990, reforms including the Bill of Rights, Legal Aid Directorate, and increased Namibianisation of judicial leadership have significantly broadened access to justice for all citizens.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namcor fraud trial postponed to April 2026 for plea hearing

    Magistrate Olga Maharukua postponed the fraud, money laundering, and corruption trial involving the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia to 21 April 2026 for a Section 119 plea hearing. The state prosecutor requested additional time to complete investigations, amend charges, and resolve tax evasion issues with NamRA, though defence lawyers opposed the postponement, arguing investigations should have been finalised at a previous remand.

    20 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Woman denies arson in deaths of ex-boyfriend, his girlfriend

    Iuze Mukube Mecthilde Karomo denies setting fire to a Windhoek shack in December 2022 that killed her ex-lover Leonard Haupindi Kadubuli and his girlfriend Anastasia Ihemba Matende. Testifying before the High Court, Karomo acknowledged a confrontation with Kadubuli the day before the fire but disputed threatening to burn the house and said she only learned of the deadly fire after hearing shouts from outside.

    12 March 2026 · New Era →

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