Magistrate Jurina Hochobes granted the State a remand in the human trafficking case for a decision by the Prosecutor General. 

A Namibian national and several foreigners are charged in the matter. 

The postponement was granted despite fierce arguments against it by defence lawyers. 

The accused are Chinese nationals Fan Jia, Guo Linzie, Haifeng Zheng, Li Zirian, Shi Zi Jun, Lin Shu Lin, Chen Wuyu, Neng Jun Wu, Wu Weiyang, Chen You Yi and Ghim Hwee Chris Ang. Their co-accused are Cuban national Carlos Alejandro Batista Valdes as well as Namibians Toivo Herman, Tango Muulyau and Mdanda Mamelodi Domingo. 

They face 98 counts of trafficking in humans, one count of fraud, one count of money laundering, one count of racketeering, one count of failure to pay tax as well as aiding and abetting any person prohibited from remain in Namibia. 

They are also charged with contravening the immigration law by overstaying in Namibia and working in Namibia without a permit. 

Sherrow Malubano, on behalf of Kadhila Amoomo is standing in for Gilroy Kasper. 

Venislaus Mbambo is standing in for Julian Comalie. 

The lawyers argued that a further postponement for a PGD would severely prejudice their clients’ rights to a speedy trial and liberty. 

They, however, agreed reluctantly to a further postponement. 

Mbambo argued that the matter is from 2023. 

He asked that the postponement be made a final one. 

He said, should the State not be ready at the next appearance, the court must show that the right to a speedy trial must be respected. 

Public prosecutor Edel Upindi told the court that the decision by the PG is not available. 

She said that due to the complexities of the matter, the PG must go through the docket. 

Upindi said charges like racketeering need the approval of the PG and Advocate Erich Moyo. 

The matter was remanded to 11 September for the PGD. 

-rrouth@nepc.com.na