Samuel Shinedima
SACKEUS Nghifikwa, the man who has been on a murder trial since 2015, was found not guilty on all the charges levelled against him after the court found that he suffered from schizophrenia at the time of the incidents.
He was charged with one count of murder for the alleged shooting and killing of Gebhardt Kaulume at close range using a 9mm pistol on February 18, 2015. Additionally, he faced two counts of attempted murder and an alternative charge of negligent firearm discharge. These charges were related to the shooting of Ndahafa Josefa in the head and shoulder, as well as firing the same firearm at Tweumena Ndeshihafela on the same date.
Dr. Hilen Ndjaba, the state psychiatrist, determined that although Nghifikwa demonstrated the ability to comprehend court proceedings and prepare a defense, he cannot be held responsible for his actions on the specified day due to his diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Based on the medical testimony presented in court, Judge Christie Liebenberg acquitted Nghifikwa of all the charges filed against him and subsequently declared him a state president’s patient. A state president’s patient is an individual who has committed a crime due to their mental illness, rendering the prosecution unable to proceed.
Since his arrest shortly after the incident in 2015, Nghifikwa was granted bail of N$3,000 on August 15, 2016, and has been out on bail until the finalization of his trial.
