ONDANGWA – A group of two young women and three young men from northern Namibia were arrested and charged with possession of counterfeit currency.
The five suspects were arrested in possession of the fake money last Tuesday at around 21:00 at Iiyandya location in Ondangwa, after a tip-off from the public that they were using the fake money to pay for goods which they bought.
The suspects made their first appearance last Friday in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ninja Hochobes.
Four of the accused chose to conduct their own defence, while Kotokeni Malakia chose to apply for legal aid. The five were not asked to plead and were neither granted bail. Their case was remanded to November 14 for further investigation and to allow Malakia to secure legal aid.
Magistrate Hochobes informed the accused that they have the right to make a formal bail application provided they not interfere with police investigations should they be granted bail.
The female accused are Tulongeni Gabriel from Uupopo location in Ondangwa and Ester Shitana from Ondangwa. The men are Immanuel Annanias from Okashitika village in Endola, Kotokeni Malakia from Omashaka location in Ondangwa and Satrie Lungameni Heita from Oupumako. All are unemployed.
Toini Shilongo prosecuted for the State.
By Nuusita Ashipala