John Muyamba
Rundu
Six inmates who allegedly beat to death a fellow inmate at Rundu police charge office’s holding cells in the wee hours of last week Friday were brought before court yesterday to hear the charges against them.
The six accused inmates all alleged that their deceased fellow inmate was a warlock practicing witchcraft on them and they decided to beat him. but things went wrong and he died.
The six trial-awaiting inmates were identified as Paulus Ndara, 30, from Ndama location in Rundu who was in custody for assault, 18-year-old Shombe Timoteus from Ndama who was arrested for house-breaking and theft, 30-year-old Haurumbu Antonio from Safari location in Rundu who was in custody for rape and assault and 30-year-old Kayundu Paulus, a Ndama resident, who was initially arrested for house-breaking and theft.
Others are Ndjamba Salomon, 35, and Stephanus Ngesheya, 19, both Kehemu residents who were initially arrested for theft. They were all denied bail due to the seriousness of the crime and the fact that investigations are at an initial stage. Magistrate Helen Olaiya, who presided, found that it would not be in the interest of justice if the six were granted bail.
They are thus to remain in custody until June 26, while police investigations continue. They have been informed of their right to acquire state-sponsored legal aid or a legal representative of their choice. Steven Haradoeb prosecuted on behalf of the State.