Matroos Raymond and Rajiv Jossep, accused of raping and murdering 29-year-old Quinteline Bonnita ǂEixas, a mother of four, in 2021, pleaded not guilty to both charges in the Katutura Magistrate's Court.

ǂEixas' s lifeless body was discovered on the premises of a church in Katutura by a caretaker.

Reports say the 29-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma and injuries to the head after perpetrators used bricks and blunt objects, breaking her skull.

Both the accused, Matroos Raymond and Rajiv Jossep, pleaded not guilty to both charges and proceedings are now referred to the Prosecutor General's Office for a decision on whether to prosecute or not.

Raymond and Jossep have been granted bail, first of N$2,000 each, which was later reduced to N$1,000, which the duo says they cannot afford.

"We are actually not happy with the reduction of bail; even today they were asking for bail to be reduced from N$1000, and we already said we were not happy. For us, it is still disheartening and disturbing that people accused of murder and serious rape cases should be released on bail of N$1000," said Immanuel !Aochamub, the ǂEixa family spokesperson.

The late ǂEixa family and friends have been attending court proceedings as a means of support. 

"We want to keep this alive; we don't want to let this case die. That's why we come out in numbers every time to come and see that the state does what it is supposed to do, that people that are responsible for this heinous crime are punished, and that we get justice for our Quincy."

The case has been postponed to August 29 of this year.