Naked State House intruder becomes president’s patient

The man accused of causing a security breach when he entered the premises of State House in Windhoek, where he was found naked, near the end of April this year is to be detained in a mental hospital or prison until his release has been authorised. Magistrate Olga Muharukua directed in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday that Windhoek resident Giano Seibeb (29) should be detained in a mental hospital or a correctional facility with a mental facility pending a decision by the president about his future fate. Muharukua made the order after public prosecutor Paulus Shilongo on Friday last week applied for Seibeb to be declared a president’s patient in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. Defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht, representing Seibeb, did not oppose the state’s application. Seibeb was alleged to have been found naked in State House on 30 April.

He was also alleged to have broken into the house of a senior police officer in Windhoek on 21 April. Seibeb was charged with counts of trespassing, housebreaking with intent to commit a crime unknown to the state, and indecent exposure, which is a contravention of a section of the Combating of Immoral Practices Act of 1980. He was referred for psychiatric observation when he made a first court appearance on 5 May. In a psychiatric evaluation report completed in June, psychiatrist Dr Nelao Mhata said a panel of medical professionals concluded that Seibeb is not fit to stand trial and cannot be held accountable for his actions. Mhata diagnosed Seibeb as having schizophrenia and also a substance use disorder. She said Seibeb “is not fit to stand trial, he cannot follow and understand the court proceedings, and cannot make a proper defence”. She said at the time the alleged crimes Seibeb was charged with were committed,…