Windhoek — The criminal trial of three Zimbabwean nationals charged with the brutal murder of a nine-year-old girl began in the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday morning. The accused, Edward Nkata, his wife, Caroline Nkata, and Rachel Kureva, the mother of the deceased, are facing charges of murder and evidence tampering.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the suspects appeared briefly before Judge Christiaan Philanda on Monday. The commencement of the trial follows a brief postponement due to the unavailability of one of the defense lawyers, Mbanga Siyomundji. Initially, Rachel Kureva had been charged and then released, but was re-charged in connection with the murder after the Prosecutor General decided to pursue charges.

The state alleges that in January 2020, the trio assaulted Natalie Chipomho, subsequently burning and dumping her body at a site in Windhoek North. A security guard later discovered Chipomho's charred remains. It is further alleged that the suspects purchased paraffin and matches at a service station, using them to burn the body in an effort to conceal Chipomho's identity.