Man accused of murdering girlfriend in Otavi denies guilt

Staff Reporter IMMANUEL Venonja, a 25-year-old man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death, started his trial in the Windhoek High Court today and pleaded not guilty before Judge Claudia Claasen. The state alleges that Venonja, on 31 May 2024, in the district of Otavi, intentionally assaulted Elisabeth Uwu-Khaes by stabbing her in the back with a knife with the intention to kill her. It is alleged that Uwu-Khaes succumbed to her injuries on 1 June 2024 at a medical clinic in Otavi due to hypovolemic shock caused by the injuries sustained from the stab wound.

Prior to her death, the deceased, Uwu-Khaes, was in a domestic relationship with the accused, as they lived together and also had a child together. Sometime during February 2024, the romantic relationship came to an end and the deceased left the common household and returned to her mother’s residence. The state alleges that during the evening of Friday, 31 May 2024, at a local bar in Otavi, the accused, Venonja, approached the deceased and stabbed her in the back with a knife.