Murder accused cop claims he acted in self-defence A police officer, who allegedly killed a nightclub reveller in Khomasdal in 2012, insisted this week that he acted in self-defence. Justine Simataa is on trial for the alleged murder of Congolese-born Firmino Fabrice Mael on 26 October 2012. Simataa told the Windhoek High Court that he fired random shots in the direction of the vehicle in which Mael was an occupant outside a Khomasdal nightclub. Mael died at the scene and was found with nine gunshot wounds.
A medical report showed a gunshot wound on the right temple of his head, four on the left front chest, one wound on the right shoulder, one on the neck and two on the right chest.
“There were massive internal injuries which resulted in 1 500ml of blood collecting in the chest area of the deceased, which could have resulted in Mael drowning in his own blood,” Dr Simasiku Kabandje who compiled the report stated in his testimony during July 2016. Simaata allegedly killed the Mael by shooting him with a pistol after a scuffle in the nightclub.
The victim allegedly stepped on Simataa''s feet leading to a confrontation. He claims the victim and three other friends, who included a certain Ricky Likando, attacked him. It was at this point that Simataa allegedly assaulted Likando, shot at and wounded him in the process. He denied that he targeted Mael when he fired random shots.
Siyomuinji Mbanga who is representing Simataa informed the court that the testimony of the accused was in line with the findings of Kabandje, who said the shooting must have been executed randomly.
FRED GOEIEMAN