Grieving Father Speaks Out After Son’s Brutal Murder in Windhoek

By Valeria Handobe

The murdered Christof Frederik was the only child and breadwinner. This is according to his 65-year-old father, Paulus Josef Dragonder, who was speaking at the Katutura Magistrate’s court today, where the two teenage suspects appeared in connection with his son’s murder. Frederik’s lifeless body was found in a riverbed next Chairman Mao Zendong High School in 7de Laan last week.

It is alleged that Frederik, who is from the LGBTQI+ community and identified as a woman, was allegedly stabbed 42 times and had his private parts cut off and placed on his chest.

Dragonder, who is a pastor, pleaded with the community not to judge his late son and should refrain from using the derogatory term ‘moffie’.

The father who lives in Otjiwarongo revealed that he prayed before he travelled to Windhoek, and told the Lord that he would not return home until his son’s killers were brought to book.

He added, he can not imagine how his son’s lifeless lay in the riverbed.

“In the circumstances, I am standing now, I really don’t know, I am shocked. He was the only breadwinner in the family and the only child. If there was another child…but it was only him. It is inhumane and ungodly,” stated the father.

The two teenage boys, aged 18 and 19, were denied bail following their first court appearance.

The suspects, Namwandi Elias Silvanus Nandomba and Mervin Beukes are facing three charges of murder, defeating the course of justice, and violation of a corpse.

Magistrate Surita Savage said the State opposes bail because they fear the accused will interfere with investigations, it is a serious offence and the matter is of public interest.  The case was remanded to 31 July this year.

One Africa learnt that two more suspects are due to appear in court on Tuesday.