Love triangle murder trial set for 2017 The trial of a Gobabis woman who allegedly connived with her lover to kill her husband in August 2013, will begin in the High Court here in June 2017.The 45-year-old Rachel Rittmann is charged in the matter alongside her alleged lover, Ryno Ricardo du Preez, 32.
The two accused made another appearance before High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg on Wednesday during a pre-trial case management review, when they were informed the trial of their alleged murder case will start on 19 June 2017.
The trial is set down to run until 15 September 2017 as per agreement reached by prosecution representative, deputy prosecutor-general Advocate Antonia Verhoef and the accused''s State-funded defence lawyers Boris Isaaks and Hipura Ujaha in court.
However, the duo was ordered to return to the High Court again on 24 May 2017 for a final pre-trial conference of case management review in respect of their matter.
The two face one count of murder each, amongst other charges in respect of the death of Rudolf Rittmann, 35.
According to the indictment, the Rittmann couple had marital problems that would often lead to temporary separation stints during 2012 and 2013.
It is suspected the two accused plotted Rudolf''s murder and worked together to that effect.
The motive of the murder was apparently to cash in on inheritance.
It is alleged that on 23 August 2013, Rachel fed her husband unidentified tablets through a drink, which caused her husband to become drowsy.
She then called in Du Preez, who was waiting nearby, apparently to kill Rudolf.
The police suspect Rudolf was stabbed 20 times with a sharp object, presumably a knife, while he lay in a state of confusion in his bed.
The two accused then allegedly loaded his body into his car and drove it up to the Kapps Farm area, east of Windhoek and a few kilometres from the police check point, where the car was found burnt.
They apparently set the vehicle on fire in an effort to cover their tracks.
In addition to the murder charge, the duo each face a count of defeating or obstructing the course of justice and a count of violating a body by setting it alight.
They also face a count of malicious damage to property.
Rachel is being held at the Klein Windhoek Police Station, while Du Preez is at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility''s holding cells.
NAMPA