Rose-Mary Haufiku
The Namibian Police (NamPol) has opened a case and started investigations into murder allegations against, Kristofina Amutenya, the ex-wife of Diplomat Petrus Haufiku.
Prosecutor General (PG), Martha Imalwa, ordered the police investigation, a development confirmed by NamPol spokesperson, Kauna Shikwambi.
“Investigations are underway and there is constant liaison between the Investigating office and the office of the PG,” Shikwambi told Windhoek Observer. The state provisionally dropped charges against Amutenya after Amutenya’s lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo, challenged the decision of the Namibian authorities to arrest and charge her on two counts of murder, and one count of attempted murder upon her arrival from Addis Ababa earlier this month.
Amoomo claimed that Amutenya was not presented with any documents or notices explaining her deportation from Ethiopia, adding that there are processes that need to be followed and documents to be prepared that would motivate the extradition of which none where presented to his client
According to Imalwa, the case was withdrawn in terms of Section 6A to give a chance to the police to investigate the matter. Amoomo has also mentioned that the future of the case hangs in the hands of the PG who will decide whether or not the case will continue.
Amutenya was arrested in Ethiopia last December accused of murdering her two minor children, Jenay Haufiku (9) and Jane Haufiku (3) by strangling them.
She was also stands accused of attempting to murder her nine-year-old stepson, who survived the ordeal in the in Addis Ababa.
After allegedly committing the crime, Amutenya ran to the neighbours and informed them that her husband had been abusing the family. The husband was reportedly detained based on the allegations, but was released when the surviving child told Ethiopian authorities that it was Amutenya who had allegedly committed the killings.
Amutenya was married to diplomat Petrus Haufiku who was attached to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Namibia in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two married in 2010 before divorcing in 2020.
“The Ethiopian authorities do not have the position to trial Amutenya in Ethiopia that is why they brought her back to Namibia,” argued Amoomo
Since Amutenya is the wife of a Namibian diplomat she enjoyed full diplomatic immunity, especially regarding arrest, detention or criminal prosecution.
It is, however, not clear how NamPol plans to carry out investigations, considering the alleged crimes were committed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
*For leads on this and other stories, contact editor@observer.com.na
