Otjiwarongo: The 18-year-old murder accused in the murder of Petronella Sabatha at Otjiwarongo last week, made his first court appearance at the town on Monday. Rivaldo Cloete appeared before magistrate Gianna Beukes who remanded him in police custody, citing further police investigations.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Beukes explained his legal rights, saying Cloete can engage the services of a private lawyer; defend himself, or apply for a Legal Aid lawyer through the Ministry of Justice's Legal Aid Directorate. Cloete opted for legal aid and his case was then postponed to 23 July 2026 to allow him to acquire the State-funded lawyer, as well as for the police to conclude the investigations.

Prosecutor Eben Nowaseb who represented the State had also opposed any granting of bail, saying Cloete knows that he faces a serious offence and as such, might abscond. 'It will be also not in the interest of the general public and that of the administration of justice for Cloete to be released on bail on this single charge of murder,' said Nowaseb.

Cloete is linked to the death of the 57-year-old Sabatha who was attacked with an axe and a knife in her house in the Etambi location at Otjiwarongo on 09 March 2026. Sabatha is a former institutional worker at the Karundu Primary School in Otjiwarongo and took early retirement in 2025.

She was discovered with two deep cuts in her head and several stab wounds on her face, and a blood-stained axe and knife were retrieved from the scene. The suspect had fled to Windhoek where he was arrested the same night. Cloete allegedly also sustained injuries in the incident, and he was taken to a hospital in Windhoek before he was transported to Otjiwarongo last Friday. Police investigations in the matter continue.