Windhoek
Well-known local legal practitioner Advocate Richard Metcalfe yesterday requested Namibian Police Inspector-General Lieutenant Sebastian Ndeitunga to give added protection to Charles Winston Manale, 32, who allegedly defrauded Standard Bank of N$4 million.
Manale was in the presence of Metcalfe and two officers of the Commercial Crime Investigation Division, where he handed himself voluntarily to the police at the office of the Inspector-General in Ausspanplatz in Windhoek. Manale was on the police’s wanted list on a charge of fraud relating to N$4 million, which the bank allegedly lost. He has been on the run since December 20, 2015.
“The assurance given to my client, Mr Manale, deserves some recognition for the fact that he also voluntarily decided to hand himself over without any further hunting having to go on, and the police have accordingly responded with kindness in respect of his gesture and what he has done in recognition of the fact that he must face the law,” Metcalfe said.
The prominent lawyer said other persons on the wanted list could make the necessary arrangements through the office of the Inspector-General, as it would redcuce the frustration of police officers who have to conduct searches and spend a lot of money.
“Where you have committed an offence, brave up and face what is and what you have to face,” said the advocate.
Metcalfe said there is nothing to fear for those who want to put their cases before court. “You are not going to be assaulted. Once you give your cooperation like this, you will also receive due consideration and respect from the police,” he said, while appealing to people who are still on the run from the law to turn themselves in.
He said his client fears for his physical integrity.
“To be quite frank, I’m not going to pull any punches. The photographs that appeared in the newspapers portrayed him (Manale) as transgender and this was the reason why he failed to hand himself over to the police due to the fact that he would be molested whilst in custody,” Metcalf told the media.
“I’ve had assurances from the police commissioner and the Inspector-General as to the measures to protect my client’s physical integrity and this is one of the reasons why we were able to peacefully and gently hand him over, so that the law takes its course,” he stated.
Ndeitunga said it was a good gesture from the side of the suspect and he hoped other wanted persons, such as fugitive Lazarus Shaduka, would do the same and thus save the police precious time and money.