Double murder suspect fit to stand trial A man accused of killing his girlfriend and her friend, and dumping and burning their bodies at a refuse dump, has been found mentally fit to stand trial.A clinical report compiled by Dr Ndambelele Mthoko found that at the time of the murders, Lukas Nepela Nicodemus was able to appreciate the wrongfulness of the alleged offences and act in accordance with such appreciation.
It was found that the double murder suspect did not have signs or symptoms of mental illness during the observation period.
“He was able to give a coherent account of what he did the day prior to his arrest,” the clinical report found.
The bodies of the deceased women, Clemencia de Wee, 23, and Johanny Naruses, 29 were dumped at the Pionierspark dumpsite where they were burned beyond recognition.
Nicodemus is charged with double murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Nicodemus was referred to the Forensic Psychiatric Unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital by the public prosecutor at the Windhoek Magistrate Court on 9 May 2016 for mental observation in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Dr Mthoko observed the accused from 21 July 2016 to 12 August 2016.
The observation included psychiatric interviews, physical examinations, laboratory investigations, CT brain scans, assessment by an occupational therapist, assessment by a clinical psychologist, interviews by a medical social worker as well as observation by psychiatric nursing staff.
The clinical report found that the suspect demonstrated a full range of appropriate emotional expressions and had no perceptual disturbances.
The report said the suspect does not have a history of mental illness, epilepsy or a chronic physical condition.
The report said the accused denied using illicit drugs and also denied that he was under the influence of alcohol prior to his arrest.
Magistrate Alweendo Sebby Venatius postponed the case against Nicodemus to 14 November 2016 for further investigations.
FRED GOEIEMAN