Windhoek: The trial of 27-year-old Immanuel Venonja is continuing in the Windhoek High Court, with State witnesses giving testimony on the events leading up to the death of the accused's ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Uwu-Khaes. Venonja is accused of fatally stabbing Uwu-Khaes, the mother of his child, at a bar in Otavi on 31 May 2024. He allegedly stabbed her in the back with a knife.

According to Namibia Press Agency, on Tuesday, Veronika !Nxauxas testified before Judge Claudia Claasen that she had gone to a local bar with Uwu-Khaes and other family members. Later that night she went to the toilet and upon her return found the deceased fighting for her life as she had been stabbed. She said they rushed Uwu-Khaes to the clinic and was informed that she passed away the following day.

Court documents reveal that the relationship between the deceased and the accused ended in February 2024. They further disclose that after Venonja stabbed Uwu-Khaes and she collapsed, he prevented bystanders from taking her to a local healthcare centre. The trial continues, with more witnesses set to take the stand.

Venonja has, in the meantime, denied guilt, arguing that the deceased, upon arriving at the bar, took some of his alcohol without asking. 'I just took my alcohol and as I was exiting the bar, the deceased hit me with a bottle on my left eyebrow. The bottle broke and the deceased stabbed me with the broken piece of the bottle on my right ear. I fell down and while I was trying to stand up, I saw that the deceased had a knife in her hand. I grabbed her hand and we started wrestling and we both fell to the ground,' Venonja told the court.

According to him, he ran away. The State is represented by Olavi Nangolo.