Windhoek
A second man who allegedly took part in an armed robbery at a service station in Pioniers-park in Windhoek, in which he made off with N$170 000 along with two of his accomplices, was arrested last week after he evaded the police for close to two months.
Jesaya Haule Kamulu, 36, appeared before Magistrate Celma Ndapewa Amadhila on Monday in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. Kamulu faces a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances. He is suspected to be one of three men who robbed Total Service Station last November.
This only leaves one of the armed robbery suspects still at large.
Prosecutor Erastus Hatutale informed the magistrate that firearms were used to commit the alleged offence and that the suspect will now jointly face the same charges as Iita Niilenge, 35.
Kamulu was informed he has the right to apply for legal representation. Amadhila told him if he cannot afford a lawyer, he could apply for a government appointed lawyer through Legal Aid.
It is always advisable to have a legal representative as they are qualified to place your case before court and to protect your rights as best as they can, the magistrate told Kamulu.
The magistrate continued by informing Kamulu he is not compelled to get a lawyer. “You will be given a reasonable time to obtain legal representation, but if you fail to obtain legal representation within a reasonable time and it is due to your fault, then the court may order that the trial proceed without legal representation,” Amadhila said.
Kamulu indicated that he would appoint a private lawyer. The matter was then remanded to February 24 for further investigations and to enable the accused to secure legal representation, given the seriousness of the charges.
Hatutale objected to the granting of bail for fear that Kamulu “may abscond due to the seriousness of the offence he is facing.
It is not in the interest of the public and the administration of justice for the accused to be released on bail at this point in time,” the prosecutor said.
Kamulu was then remanded in custody, but can still submit a formal bail application.
A resident of Freedom Land’s Ombo Street, Kamulu also has a pending case of armed robbery.
Last year Police Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga said the recent spate of armed robberies in the capital are worrisome, particularly those perpetrated against businesses and in residential areas.
Ndeitunga called on business people who are moving large sums of money to the bank to approach the police for assistance. “It is a serious concern from the police management, especially with robberies and house break-ins. Some robberies appear to be inside-jobs, because the criminals know the movement of cash within a business,” said the police chief. He also discouraged members of the public from buying stolen goods, as this contributes to crime in the country.
Ndeitunga said the police had put up photos of the suspects and called on the public to assist the police in tracing the suspected robbers.