Businessman sent to jail for 30 years
Khorixas businessman, who admitted to killing his girlfriend by shooting her nine times with a pistol in November 2016 at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region, was on Monday sentenced to an effective 30 years imprisonment.
Rudolf Huirad Gowaseb was found guilty on 24 August 2020 and was sentenced by High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg in respect of a charge of murder dealt with under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act of 2003, as well as the two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, which were dealt with under the provisions of the Arms and Ammunition Act Seven (7) of 1996.
On the first count of murder of shooting and killing his girlfriend and the mother of his two minor children, Rigarda Matrilen !Notani !Noabes, on 12 November 2016, Gowaseb was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment.
On the two last counts of being found in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each of the two counts, which will be served concurrently.
In addition to the sentence, the 60-year-old Khorixas businessman was declared unfit to possess a firearm for five years upon the completion of serving his effective custodial punishment.
Furthermore, a 7.65 CZ pistol used in the commission of the crime was forfeited to the State.
“The commission of the murder committed in a domestic setting is a very serious offence. The killing was brutal because it was committed against a defenceless woman.
The crime of domestic violence committed against women will not be tolerated by this court.
Gowaseb does not respect the rights for life and the dignity of women,” said Judge Liebenberg before sending Gowaseb behind bars for 30 years.
In his statement of plea of guilty before court, Gowaseb said he shot !Noabes with a firearm in a fit of anger after she allegedly told him she had slept with another man.
He shot !Noabes by firing at least nine gunshots into her body at close range, causing her to die instantly.
According to Gowaseb, he was consumed by anger and felt provoked by his girlfriend›s behaviour.
Upon conviction, Gowaseb expressed regret and said he was sorry for his actions and knew he acted wrongfully and unlawfully when he caused !Noabes’s death.
He has a record of previous criminal offence of two cases of attempted murder, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition committed between 1996 and 2006.
Anita Meyer appeared for the prosecution. -