Renthia Kaimbi
Karinambande Muundjua has allegedly confessed to luring seven-year-old Roswinds Fabianu out of K W von Maree Combined School with N$2 coins before raping and killing her in nearby bushes, according to sources close to the investigation.
Sources told the Windhoek Observer that Muundjua allegedly used the coins to lure Fabianu through a hole in the fence behind the school at around 08:00 on the morning she disappeared.
He allegedly took the child into nearby bushes, where he raped and killed her.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Muundjua allegedly told investigators that after killing Fabianu, he heard her speaking to him and subsequently cut open her stomach, exposing her internal organs.
Fabianu’s mother, Hilalia Nghipunya, told the Windhoek Observer that while the family initially believed Fabianu’s tongue was missing, she was unaware of reports that other internal organs were missing, despite the child’s stomach having been cut open.
“None of her organs were missing despite popular belief but one side of her face was badly burned, and we don’t know whether it was from being exposed to the sun or whether he (suspect) wanted to burn her remains,” Nghipunya said.
She also confirmed that the family had not received any confirmation from investigators whether Muundjua confessed to lighting the fire on Fabianu’s grave, which damaged her tombstone.
“As a family, we have a lot of unanswered questions. We wanted to be in court during his first appearance but could not make it. We just have a lot of questions,” she further stated.
Sources further alleged that Muundjua returned to school at around 10:00 after cleaning himself in a muddy puddle near the crime scene behind the Veddersdal cemetery.
He allegedly entered the school’s bathroom to wash a knife believed to have been used in the killing but was interrupted when another person entered.
According to the sources, he then threw the knife behind a toilet and returned to class, and remained at the school for the rest of the day.
The sources claimed that after the knife was discovered in the school bathroom, high school learners were allegedly subjected to DNA swabs as part of efforts to identify the person responsible.
However, Muundjua allegedly did not attend school on the specific day the DNA samples were collected.
The Windhoek Observer could not independently establish when the knife was discovered, whether forensic testing linked it to the murder, or whether investigators confirmed the account provided by the sources.
Sources close to the matter further claimed that Muundjua had allegedly confessed to details of the killings before two different magistrates, including one in Otjiwarongo earlier this week.
The alleged confessions reportedly included claims that both Fabianu and six-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp had been haunting him.
According to the sources, Muundjua allegedly said Maasdorp had “told him to commit suicide because he was about to be caught.”
He also allegedly told the magistrates and investigators that he had slept peacefully for the first time since committing the crimes after confessing to the murders.
Meanwhile, another source told the Windhoek Observer that the two security guards who apprehended Muundjua on Saturday, following an alleged attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in Okahandja, found him attempting to slit the child’s throat with a knife.
The source alleged that Muundjua was using the blunt side of the blade when the guards intervened.
Muundjua was subsequently arrested after a girl who was walking with the 10-year-old girl, reportedly escaped and sought assistance from the security guards.
He appeared on the attempted rape charge on Monday and was in court again on Wednesday facing seven charges, including murder, rape and violating a body following his alleged confession.
The State opposed his release on bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, the strength of its case and concerns that he could reoffend.
The matter was postponed to 2 March 2027 to allow for further investigations and legal aid arrangements. The State also indicated that it intends to add a charge of obstructing or defeating the course of justice.
Muundjua was a minor when the alleged offences were committed and is expected to undergo screening as part of the investigation. He remains in custody at Seeis Police Station.
