Three suspects in Strzelecki murder remain behind bars

The three suspects accused of murdering Swakopmund residents Siegfried Paul Helmuth (82) and his wife Sieglinde Roswitha Strzelecki (79) at the beginning of August will remain in custody for now. This was ordered when the accused made an appearance at the Swakopmund Magistrates Court on Wednesday this week.

The three suspects, Daniel Stephanus Nghilifa (26), Jerobeam Simon Shidute (23) and Fabianus Lazarus (24), are charged with double murders as well as housebreaking. Two suspects initially entered the house and attacked Roswitha Strzelecki first. She died of her injuries.
They then threatened her husband and assaulted him. Thy threatened him with knives and demanded money. They stole a cellphone, sandals and N$1 000 in cash before fleeing the scene.
Mr Siegfried Strzelecki passed away a few days after the attack in hospital. He too succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the attack.
As the three suspects made their second court appearance, lawyer Lucia Haufiku, who is representing Nghilifa and Lazarus indicated she withdrew from representing Nghilifa. “I have filed a notice of withdrawal in respect of accused 1. She withdrew as she foresaw a conflict of interest.
Lawyer Susan Hinda is representing Shidute, but she could not be at court that day. State Prosecutor Paulus Shilongo informed the court that “at this point some investigations are still outstanding.” This includes the scene of crime report, particularly forensics, as well as cellphone extracts. “The state still needs time to finalize investigations”, he said.
During the appearance, Haufiku indicated that her client, Lazarus, intends to make a formal bail application. “We don’t foresee it just for accused 3 (Lazarus)”, she said, implying that all accused have to bring an application.
Shilongo added since the accused Nghilifa does not have a lawyer anymore, he must re-apply for legal aid. Once all accused have received legal representation, a date for the formal bail application can be set.
Magistrate Nelao Brown postponed the matter in the meantime to 30 April 2017 for further police investigations. She ordered that all three accused remain in custody.
The murder of the Strzelecki couple sparked an outrage in Swakopmund. When the three suspects appeared in court in September this year, more than 300 residents had gathered at the court building for a silent protest against heinous crimes in the coastal town.