Lichtenstrasser back to prison

Sharlien Tjambari

Ernst Lichtenstrasser (58) appeared on a charge of double murder in the Swakopmund Magistrate Court on Friday, 27 September. His case was remanded to 17 December because of pending investigations and outstanding lab results.

Lichtenstrasser is accused of the brutal killing of the NIMT Director Eckhart Mueller (72) and his Deputy Heimo Hellwig (60) who were shot in cold blood on the morning of 15 April this year at the NIMT offices in Arandis. He appeared in front of Magistrate Conchita Olivier and State Prosecutor Latoya Katjitundu. Lichtenstrasser’s Lawyer, Trevor Brockerhoff was not present that day. In his defence, Lichtenstrasser said he is not a healthy person and he didn’t sleep well the previous night in the Swakopmund Holding Cells, he demanded that he be sent back immediately to the Windhoek Correctional Facility and he also demanded that the next court date should be for final remand and not for investigations. Lichtenstrasser asked that on 17 December, if all evidence will be in on this day or if there will be another postponement.
Katjitundu said Lichtenstrasser’s request was not fair because the case was not even 6-months on roll.
Olivier postponed the case to 17 December. The accused was transferred back to the Windhoek Correctional Facility on Friday after his court appearance.