Three men face justice after killing an Omaheke stock theft investigator who tried solving a cattle theft 12 years ago. Acting judge Alfred Siboleka found Stockley Kauejao, Matheu Kakururume, and Muvare Kaporo guilty of murder yesterday in Windhoek High Court. The court also convicted these three men and Afas Kamutjemo of stealing livestock and obstructing justice. The case started because Kauejao planned the theft of 15 cattle from a Gobabis district farm in December 2012. He later masterminded the murder of investigator Wilfred Kazeurua.
Kakururume and Kaporo killed 55-year-old Kazeurua on December 28, 2012, after the cattle owner asked them to investigate. They burned and buried his body, which searchers found about 10 days later. Their trial began in September 2015, with all defendants claiming innocence. Evidence showed Kakururume worked at the farm where the cattle disappeared. Kaporo worked nearby at the farm where Kauejao operated his business.
Kakururume confessed everything to a Gobabis magistrate after police arrested him in January 2013. He told officials Kauejao offered him and Kaporo N$8,000 to steal the animals. After taking the cattle, Kazeurua picked them up for questioning. Kauejao called Kaporo and told him they must eliminate the investigator before he discovered the stolen animals.
The men strangled Kazeurua at the farm, burned his body, and hid it underground. They also destroyed his vehicle as Kauejao instructed. Kakururume later denied his confession during the trial, but the judge believed his original statement represented the truth. Another worker testified hearing Kaporo tell Kauejao about killing the investigator. Kamutjemo helped transport the stolen cattle using a truck belonging to Kauejao.
The four convicted men return to court on April 23 for sentencing date arrangements. They remain behind bars awaiting their punishment. The conviction brings closure to the long-running case that has shocked the farming community since 2012. The family of Kazeurua finally sees justice for their loved one who died performing his duties. Local authorities hope this verdict shows criminals cannot escape consequences for harming law enforcement officials.
Kakururume and Kaporo killed 55-year-old Kazeurua on December 28, 2012, after the cattle owner asked them to investigate. They burned and buried his body, which searchers found about 10 days later. Their trial began in September 2015, with all defendants claiming innocence. Evidence showed Kakururume worked at the farm where the cattle disappeared. Kaporo worked nearby at the farm where Kauejao operated his business.
Kakururume confessed everything to a Gobabis magistrate after police arrested him in January 2013. He told officials Kauejao offered him and Kaporo N$8,000 to steal the animals. After taking the cattle, Kazeurua picked them up for questioning. Kauejao called Kaporo and told him they must eliminate the investigator before he discovered the stolen animals.
The men strangled Kazeurua at the farm, burned his body, and hid it underground. They also destroyed his vehicle as Kauejao instructed. Kakururume later denied his confession during the trial, but the judge believed his original statement represented the truth. Another worker testified hearing Kaporo tell Kauejao about killing the investigator. Kamutjemo helped transport the stolen cattle using a truck belonging to Kauejao.
The four convicted men return to court on April 23 for sentencing date arrangements. They remain behind bars awaiting their punishment. The conviction brings closure to the long-running case that has shocked the farming community since 2012. The family of Kazeurua finally sees justice for their loved one who died performing his duties. Local authorities hope this verdict shows criminals cannot escape consequences for harming law enforcement officials.
