Hardap man denies guilt on girlfriend murder charge

A Man accused of murdering his former girlfriend at Aranos near the end of 2023 denied guilt on four charges in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.

Stefanus Kock (40) pleaded not guilty on a charge of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, two course of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and a charge of defeating or obstructing the court of justice at the start of his trial before judge Philanda Christiaan.

Kock did not give a plea explanation to the court.

The state is alleging that Kock stabbed his then girlfriend, Maria Kooper, in the arm with a knife at Aranos in the Hardap region during the night of 8 to 9 December 2023.

Kooper allegedly ended her romantic relationship with Kock after that incident.

The state is also alleging that Kock murdered Kooper (40) by stabbing her four times with a knife at Aranos on 22 December 2023.

Kock is alleged to have stabbed a former boyfriend of Kooper in the chest as well during the same incident.

The state is further alleging that Kock tried to frustrate or interfere with the police investigation into the fatal stabbing by hiding a knife in a bag in a police vehicle in which he was transported after the stabbing.

The state’s first witness in Kock’s trial is expected to testify before Christiaan tomorrow. Kock is being held in custody.

He is being represented by legal aid lawyer Rennie Strauss.

The state is represented by Ethel Ndlovu.