Two men in Namibia receive 20-year and 15-year prison sentences for beating a young man to death, highlighting severe risks of domestic violence.
Namibian father and son have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the fatal assault of a family member, in a case that has drawn national attention to domestic violence.
Judge Philanda Christiaan of the Windhoek High Court handed down the sentences on Friday November 14, 2025, concluding the trial of Hendrik le Roux, 61, and his son, Borris le Roux, 31. Hendrik received 25 years in prison, with five years suspended, while Borris was sentenced to 20 years, with five years suspended. Both sentences will begin upon the men’s release from custody.
The two men were found guilty of murdering Carlos le Roux, 23, at their Mariental home on April 9, 2021. According to the court, the assault involved repeated beatings with pieces of a hosepipe, causing a fatal head injury. Judge Christiaan determined that Hendrik played a leading role in instigating the attack.
Carlos had a history of mental instability compounded by substance abuse, the judge noted. “His erratic and often violent behavior had strained the family to its limits. Repeated attempts to obtain assistance from police, hospitals, and social services yielded no sustainable relief,” Christiaan said, describing the household as a place of fear and tension before the fatal incident.
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On the morning of the assault, a confrontation escalated, culminating in the severe and persistent beating that left Carlos dead by sunrise. The judge emphasized that the crime was not premeditated but arose from years of frustration, emotional breakdown, and a fractured family environment.
During the trial, Hendrik and Borris claimed the beating was intended as “discipline.” Judge Christiaan firmly rejected this defense, stating: “The concept of discipline, particularly within a family, can never extend to the deliberate infliction of harm that endangers life. The brutality of the injuries shows this was sustained cruelty, not corrective chastisement.”
The judge further highlighted the broader societal lesson of the case: “Human life is sacred, and no grievance, emotion, or domestic dispute can ever justify its unlawful taking. Those who resort to violence as a means of resolving conflict must know the courts will respond with firmness and resolve.”
The prosecution was led by State Advocate Ethel Ndlovu, while the defendants were represented by defense lawyer Peru Liebenberg.
The case has sparked discussion in Namibia and internationally about the dangers of domestic violence, particularly in households affected by mental health and substance abuse issues. Experts say it underscores the importance of accessible support systems and timely intervention to prevent family tragedies.
