Avis Dam murder, robbery trial moved to December

The start of the trial of three men accused of committing a deadly armed robbery at a popular nature spot in Windhoek four years ago has been moved to early December.

The men’s trial, which was scheduled to commence in the Windhoek High Court this week, was postponed to 3 December on Friday, because one of the defence lawyers involved in the matter was absent from court due to illness.

Iileka Kefas (37), Johannes Shetunyenga (36) and Antonio Cheme (29) are facing seven charges in connection with two armed robberies committed at Avis Dam in Windhoek in July 2020.

The second of the robberies was fatal, with a Windhoek resident, Daniele Ferrari (52), killed during that incident.

The state is alleging that the three accused robbed a woman at Avis Dam on 10 July 2020 by threatening her with a screwdriver and stealing a cellphone, wristwatch and set of earphones from her.

Ferrari was attacked with a panga and a knife or knives at the dam, where he was a frequent visitor, in the late afternoon of 14 July 2020, the state is alleging.

He was fatally injured in the attack.

The state is alleging that a cellphone, wallet, wristwatch and other items were stolen from Ferrari when he was robbed.

Two other visitors at the dam were attacked on the same day Ferrari was killed.

Kefas, Shetunyenga and Cheme were arrested in November 2020.

Kefas and Shetunyenga denied guilt on charges of murder, robbery and attempted murder during an appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in August 2022, after they had been granted bail in an amount of N$2 000 each.

Kefas also denied guilt on a count of robbery in connection with the incident on 10 July 2020.

During the same court appearance in August 2022, Cheme pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving stolen property and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

Cheme was granted bail in an amount of N$5 000 in July 2021.

The three men are now jointly charged with counts of murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, possession of a firearm without a licence, and two charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances.