Man claims he set lover alight in fit of rage

Man claims he set lover alight in fit of rage A man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire and killing her has pleaded guilty to charges of murder and arson.

Plesie Gowaseb said he killed Petrina !Goagoses, the mother of his three children, after she had accused him of infecting her with HIV/Aids.

“I was blinded with anger. I went away from her house but after a while, when everyone was sleeping, I went back. I locked her house from outside with a padlock and jumped into her room through the window,” Gowaseb explained yesterday in a plea explanation before High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg.

“While I was in the deceased's room, I found a container with paraffin and poured it everywhere in the room. I used matches to set the room alight in which the deceased was.”

In the plea explanation that was read by his lawyer Milton Engelbrecht, he added that he then jumped out through the window. She also jumped out but was on fire. !Goagoses died on 21 October 2012.

Gowaseb pleaded guilty to murder and arson and emphasised that he tendered his plea freely and voluntarily. He admitted burning down the house at Farm Dordabis between 13 and 14 October 2012.

Gowaseb told the court that that he was in a domestic relationship with !Goagoses and that they had three children together.

He confirmed that he was aware of his rights, namely that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

“I confirm that I cannot be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence and that if I so wish can remain silent and do not have to testify during these proceedings,” he stated.





He said he was not influenced to plead guilty in any manner whatsoever, nor was he made any promises.



“I further confirm that I am fully aware of the consequences of this plea, namely that I plead guilty without the State calling witnesses or tendering any evidence to the said charges against me,” Gowaseb said.



“I knew that pouring paraffin in the room and setting it alight would cause injuries that could lead to her death,” he admitted.



He admitted that it was his intention to kill the deceased when he poured the paraffin in the room and set it alight.



“I was consumed by anger and failed to control it. My anger overwhelmed me to such an extent that I committed this horrible, cruel and chilling act. Today I sit with regret and wish I could take back my actions,” he stated.



State Advocate Ethel Ndlovu accepted the plea and Judge Liebenberg thereafter postponed the matter to between 13 and 14 July for evidence in mitigation and aggravation of sentencing. Gowaseb was remanded in custody at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.