A 28-year-old farm worker admitted yesterday he killed his boss. Rodney Hoxobeb told the Windhoek High Court he murdered Christof Mungunda, age 65, back in September 2022. The crime happened at a farm near Tallismanus, northeast of Gobabis. Judge Philanda Christiaan heard the confession during the first day of trial.
Hoxobeb accepted blame for hitting Mungunda repeatedly with an axe handle until he died. He also admitted stealing the man's Toyota Hilux pickup truck along with many other items. The stolen goods included a cell phone, tools, cooking pots, bedding, clothes, wine, and food. He further confessed to driving without a license and doing it carelessly.
The court heard Hoxobeb reject two additional charges. He said he did not attempt to murder anyone else, nor did he drive drunk. Prosecutor Ian Malumani explained the state wouldn't accept parts of the guilty plea. Officials believe Mungunda died from both axe handle strikes and a large stone thrown at his head. They also claim Hoxobeb drove recklessly, not just carelessly.
According to prosecutors, after killing Mungunda, Hoxobeb loaded the stolen items and drove toward Gobabis. They claim he tried to run over another farm worker as he left. They further allege he drank alcohol during his drive and became intoxicated behind the wheel. These details form key parts of the state's case against him.
Hoxobeb described the events in his signed statement. He said he asked Mungunda for food because he had none at home, but his boss refused. Later that day, Mungunda questioned if he planned to work. Hoxobeb replied he couldn't work hungry and asked for a ride back to Gobabis. He claimed Mungunda mistreated him, insulted him, and slapped his face before telling him to leave.
The defendant explained feeling angry when he returned to his shack. He felt frustrated because Mungunda brought him to the farm but wouldn't feed him and hit him. Later that night, he saw Mungunda going to turn off a generator. Hoxobeb grabbed an axe handle and attacked him, striking his head and neck multiple times until he collapsed.
Prosecutors claim Hoxobeb noticed Mungunda remained alive after the initial attack. They allege he then threw a 59-kilogram stone onto his head. The trial resumes Friday with Hoxobeb remaining in jail custody. Defense lawyer Joseph Andreas represents him throughout these proceedings.
Hoxobeb accepted blame for hitting Mungunda repeatedly with an axe handle until he died. He also admitted stealing the man's Toyota Hilux pickup truck along with many other items. The stolen goods included a cell phone, tools, cooking pots, bedding, clothes, wine, and food. He further confessed to driving without a license and doing it carelessly.
The court heard Hoxobeb reject two additional charges. He said he did not attempt to murder anyone else, nor did he drive drunk. Prosecutor Ian Malumani explained the state wouldn't accept parts of the guilty plea. Officials believe Mungunda died from both axe handle strikes and a large stone thrown at his head. They also claim Hoxobeb drove recklessly, not just carelessly.
According to prosecutors, after killing Mungunda, Hoxobeb loaded the stolen items and drove toward Gobabis. They claim he tried to run over another farm worker as he left. They further allege he drank alcohol during his drive and became intoxicated behind the wheel. These details form key parts of the state's case against him.
Hoxobeb described the events in his signed statement. He said he asked Mungunda for food because he had none at home, but his boss refused. Later that day, Mungunda questioned if he planned to work. Hoxobeb replied he couldn't work hungry and asked for a ride back to Gobabis. He claimed Mungunda mistreated him, insulted him, and slapped his face before telling him to leave.
The defendant explained feeling angry when he returned to his shack. He felt frustrated because Mungunda brought him to the farm but wouldn't feed him and hit him. Later that night, he saw Mungunda going to turn off a generator. Hoxobeb grabbed an axe handle and attacked him, striking his head and neck multiple times until he collapsed.
Prosecutors claim Hoxobeb noticed Mungunda remained alive after the initial attack. They allege he then threw a 59-kilogram stone onto his head. The trial resumes Friday with Hoxobeb remaining in jail custody. Defense lawyer Joseph Andreas represents him throughout these proceedings.
