Convict’s lawyer seeks 20 years jail term

**Iuze Mukube **

The defence in the trial of a Windhoek resident, who was convicted of assaulting and murdering his romantic partner in her apartment in 2024, has asked the court to consider several mitigating factors when determining his sentence.

Tjizake Murangi’s lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji made the submissions during pre-sentencing proceedings last Wednesday before Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen.

Murangi stands convicted of housebreaking with intent to commit murder and murder, as well as assault, with both charges read with the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.

Additional charges include fraud, two counts of forgery, two counts of uttering a forged document, and two counts of stock theft.

The allegations are that Murangi broke into the flat of his former girlfriend, Frieda Ndinelago Amadhila (29), before attacking and stabbing her multiple times with a knife at her Windhoek flat between 7 and 8 April 2024.

Among the mitigating factors Siyomunji asked the court to consider are Murangi’s age, his guilty plea, his expression of remorse and his family responsibilities.

Citing case law, the lawyer submitted that a guilty plea could demonstrate an accused person’s genuine cooperation and remorse, and a desire not to “waste the time of the court” by defending the indefensible.

He argued that, in certain circumstances, a guilty plea may be considered in favour of an accused when determining an appropriate sentence.

Siyomunji further submitted that Murangi had demonstrated genuine remorse for his actions.

He added that the time Murangi spent in custody should be taken into consideration when sentencing.

Murangi has been in custody since his arrest in April 2024, which is a period of two years and six months.

Siyomunji added that Murangi is 25 years old and was 23 at the time of the incident.

His highest educational qualification is grade 12.

Murangi is not married, and has four minor children.

The girls are aged seven, four, three and two.

He was financially responsible for all four children before his arrest.

Murangi lost his father at the age of six, while his mother is still alive.

Siyomunji asked the court to sentence Murangi to 20 years in prison for housebreaking with intent to murder and murder.

He proposed a two-year sentence for assault, three years imprisonment collectively for fraud, two counts of forgery and for the counts of uttering a forged document, as well as two years’ imprisonment each for the two counts of stock theft.

He asked the court to order that the sentence on the second to last counts run concurrently with the sentence on the first count.

Prior to the submission, an uncle who represented the deceased’s family testified in aggravation.

Simon Kandume told the court that the family was deeply hurt by the death of Amadhila, and wanted the accused to receive a lengthy prison sentence.

Kandume testified that Amadhila had played an important role in supporting her family, including assisting her parents to pay for medical aid, as well as providing food and other necessities.

He said the family was unaware that Amadhila had been in a relationship with Murangi, or that she was living with him.

He said she could have introduced her boyfriend to the family, and it came as a shock when she was killed by him.

“We are hurt, and it is very painful. We did not expect this,” Kandume said.

He added that the family could not feel pity for the accused because of what he had done.

Kandume also said the family wants the court to impose a lengthy prison sentence to discourage others from committing similar offences.

“Our tears cannot stop flowing about Frieda. She was very important to us, and our hearts are broken,” he said.

He told the court that Amadhila’s younger brother dropped out of school in Grade 10 last year because the family could not afford his school fees.

He described Amadhila as a key provider for the family.

Ian Malumani is representing the State.

The matter was postponed to 9 November 2026 for continuation of the trial.

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