Iileka Kefas and Johannes Shetunyenga gave confessions

Two magistrates told the Windhoek High Court that confession statements from the accused were voluntary, but both defendants are pushing back hard on that claim.

The Avis Dam murder charges

• Daniele Ferrari was fatally stabbed and struck with a panga on 14 July 2020.
• Ferrari was 52 and was attacked during a visit to Avis Dam in Windhoek.
• A cellphone, wristwatch, wallet, belt, and keys were allegedly stolen from him.
• Iileka Kefas, Johannes Shetunyenga, and Antonio Cheme face seven charges.

Confessions are the courtroom battleground

• Magistrate Helvi Shikalepo and retired magistrate Alweendo Venatius both testified this week.
• Statements from Kefas and Shetunyenga were recorded on 25 November 2020.
• Kefas reportedly waived his right to a lawyer before speaking.
• Shetunyenga allegedly told Shikalepo he wanted to talk about what landed him there.

Defendants dispute the whole narrative

• Kefas is 39, and Shetunyenga is 37 years old.
• Both men deny their confessions were free and voluntary.
• Kefas claimed he did not know someone got stabbed at the scene.
• Cheme is 30 and rounds out the trio of accused.

Second robbery and ongoing trial details

• A woman visiting Avis Dam was allegedly robbed on 10 July 2020.
• Her cellphone, wristwatch, and earphones were reportedly taken.
• Judge Naomi Shivute has presided since the trial started in December 2024.
• All three accused are currently out on bail.