Cellphone evidence key to Windhoek murder trial

Witnesses claim a woman whose decomposing corpse was discovered in her boyfriend's room in Windhoek nearly two years ago was involved in an abusive relationship before her death. Manfred Murirua told the Windhoek High Court that Getrud Tjihuiko had informed relatives that Elvis Mieze was abusive. The Namibian reports that the prosecution claims Mieze murdered Tjihuiko between 23 and 30 September 2016 by stabbing her in the chest with a knife. He then allegedly used her cellphone and, while pretending to be her, sent text messages to friends and relatives informing them that she was at Walvis Bay with a new boyfriend. Mieze has denied defeating or obstructing the course of justice. Defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht said Mieze and Tjihuiko had been involved in a quarrel and she fell and suffered a self-inflicted stab wound.