WINDHOEK — In a harrowing revelation at the Windhoek High Court on Monday, authorities reported that the charred remains of a nine-year-old girl, discovered at a local dumping site, also showed signs of severe physical abuse, including broken legs. The ongoing criminal trial involves three Zimbabwean nationals charged with the murder of Natalie Chipomho, whose body was found burned beyond recognition.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the disturbing details emerged during the trial of the girl’s mother, Rachel Kureva, along with Edward Nkata and Caroline Nkata. The court heard how the trio allegedly murdered Chipomho, then disposed of her body at a dumping site where it was later found by a security guard. The suspects, who pleaded not guilty, are facing multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and obstructing the course of justice, among others.

The murder is believed to have occurred between January 23 and 25, 2020. A neighbor of the suspects provided a crucial eyewitness account, noting that on the night of the alleged crime, he observed a large man and a woman with a baby disposing of what appeared to be rubbish around 9:00 PM. Further investigations revealed that the fatal assault took place in a Windhoek flat shared by Chipomho with her mother and the Nkata couple.

During the trial, it was disclosed that after committing the alleged crime, the Nkatas attempted to flee Windhoek but were apprehended by police at a temporary roadblock between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo, en route to Okakarara. Kureva was arrested at her workplace in Windhoek, where she was employed as a nurse. Caroline Nkata was working as a teacher at a local school at the time of her arrest.

The trial continues to unfold under the scrutiny of Judge Philanda Christiaan, drawing significant attention to the details of this tragic case and the circumstances leading to the young girl’s death.