Two farm workers heard their fate yesterday after Judge Naomi Shivute found them guilty of killing their employers. The court convicted Bernadus Afrikaner and Salathuel Unaeb for murdering Armin and Brunhild Riedel at their Gobabis farm in January 2018. The judge also ruled that they burned the house with the bodies inside.
The men worked for the elderly couple but denied all charges when their trial began last December—both face punishment for two murders, arson, and robbery with violence. Afrikaner must answer for having Mrs. Riedel's gun, which he later sold in town.
A fellow worker saw Unaeb grab Mrs. Riedel and force her into the house with Afrikaner following behind. Later that day, both men trailed Mr. Riedel into the home after he returned. No one saw the couple alive again. When fire engulfed the house that evening, Afrikaner refused to help because he feared leaving footprints at the scene.
The judge set June 17 for sentencing discussions. Lawyer Melissa Windisch represents both men against prosecutor Ethel Ndlovu.
The men worked for the elderly couple but denied all charges when their trial began last December—both face punishment for two murders, arson, and robbery with violence. Afrikaner must answer for having Mrs. Riedel's gun, which he later sold in town.
A fellow worker saw Unaeb grab Mrs. Riedel and force her into the house with Afrikaner following behind. Later that day, both men trailed Mr. Riedel into the home after he returned. No one saw the couple alive again. When fire engulfed the house that evening, Afrikaner refused to help because he feared leaving footprints at the scene.
The judge set June 17 for sentencing discussions. Lawyer Melissa Windisch represents both men against prosecutor Ethel Ndlovu.
