19 years for friend’s murder

Two families were left inconsolable yesterday at the Windhoek Regional Court after Tristan Losper (24) was sentenced to 19 years in prison for the murder of his childhood friend, the young paramedic and Wanderers fly-half O'Neal de Wee (22).

"They can go see him and talk to him. I have to go to an empty grave, and I have to live with that injury for the rest of my life," said Anthea de Wee, mother of the murdered De Wee, her only child, following the sentencing.

Regional court magistrate Justine Asino imposed the sentence on Losper, a first-time offender, after stating that the chances of his rehabilitation appear promising since Losper showed remorse on several occasions during the trial.

"The accused pleaded for forgiveness from the family and cried on several occasions during the trial. "At times, he cried so much that the court had to adjourn," magistrate Asino said during sentencing.

During court proceedings, it emerged that Losper and De Wee had been friends since their primary school days and had spent a lot of time together on weekends. The two reportedly enjoyed watching rugby together.

Furious attack

After becoming involved in a verbal and physical altercation, Losper fatally stabbed O'Neal in February 2022. Initially, both walked away, with Losper later explaining to the court that De Wee had won the fight and he overheard his friends laughing and mocking him at his house.

According to Losper's explanation to the court, this triggered anger in him.

He tracked down De Wee on the street and repeatedly stabbed him with a knife. De Wee's friends intervened and disarmed Losper. The fatal stab wound, according to medical reports, was inflicted on De Wee's back.

Mitigating, aggravating circumstances

Losper reportedly surrendered to the police after the incident and pleaded guilty in court.

Asino considered the plea a mitigating circumstance, noting that many defendants plead not guilty despite having no defence.

"This court has no doubt that he showed remorse," she said.

But she added: “You have deprived someone of their right to life, and no one should have the right to decide over that.”

Asino said the increase in violence among young people is a worrying trend in society.

"This court has no words for the cruel way in which he killed his best friend," Asino said.

She also argued that Losper was the aggressor in both incidents. "It is clear that he was the first aggressor since he was initially offensive and initiated the physical altercation. After the altercation, he had enough time to calm down and reflect, but he went back and killed his friend," she said.

Grief for a son

During court proceedings, Anthea testified that she is still paying off her son's study debts and that, despite the well-intentioned support offered by the Losper family for the funeral, she had to continue paying that debt off after the burial.

"It cannot bring O'Neal back," Anthea told Namibia Media Holdings last week.

"It brings a bit of consolation, but this has brought a lot of trauma to our family. We don't want an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," she said about the murder of her only child.

"I have nothing in my heart to say to him [Losper] – what's in me is too bitter. All I can say is I think he can still become a better person."