Anna Rooi, a 24-year-old mother, and her boyfriend Renty April, 27, appeared today in the Keetmanshoop Magistrates’ Court regarding the death of Rooi’s one-year and eight-month-old daughter, Simone Rooi. 

The suspects were arraigned on charges of murder in connection with domestic violence but were not asked to enter a plea. Their case has been postponed until May 14 for further police investigations, and they have been remanded in police custody after the state opposed bail.

April informed the court that he would represent himself, while Rooi indicated her intention to apply for legal aid.

It is alleged that April, the girl’s stepfather, assaulted her with a belt, leather strap, and brick between September of last year and April of this year. 

These incidents reportedly occurred on farms Agterfontein in the Gibeon district and !Gabus in the Keetmanshoop district.

On April 2, the baby girl was taken to the Keetmanshoop State Hospital after she fell face down and lost consciousness. 

A medical doctor who examined her found multiple old scars, bruises, and an open wound on her body, indicating that she had been assaulted on several occasions. 

The girl was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit before being transferred to Katutura State Hospital, where she died on April 4. 

Preliminary investigations suggest that the assaults occurred in the presence of her mother, who failed to intervene or report the abuse to the police.