WINDHOEK – Three men who allegedly broke into the Swapo head offices on 02 August 2014, and stole “confidential documents,” were all denied bail Wednesday when they appeared in the Katutura Magistrates Court.
The three suspects are Michael Shomeya, 30, Festus Nhinda, 26 and Simon Shigwedha, 24.
The charge sheet shows that the men forced Edward Simbo, a security guard, into submission by threatening him with firearms and tying him up with ropes on August 02.
The value of the items stolen amounted to N$21 824.
The three face a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances. Their right to legal representation was explained to them. All three indicated that they would apply for a Government funded lawyer through the Directorate of Legal Aid.
Prosecutor Menencia Hinda asked for the matter to be remanded to October 24 for further police investigations and to enable the trio to apply for legal aid. “Investigations are at an early stage, other suspects are still to be arrested,” Hinda said.
Shomeya said the date was too far. “We need assistance for Legal Aid, the police do not assist us”.
Shigwedha who claims he “was falsely accused,” told the court the postponement date was too far.
Magistrate Lavinia Gahanna informed the trio that the matter is under investigation and “the police need time to do the investigations.”
At the time of the robbery there was speculation that the break-in was politically motivated.
Information given at the time corroborates what was stated in court Wednesday that during the armed robbery the suspects allegedly threatened the security guard with firearms and tied him up before they proceeded with the theft.
Swapo Party was so concerned about the stolen documents that it offered a reward of N$20 000 – later increased to N$35 000 for any information that could lead to the arrest of the thieves.
But according to the police no member of the public pocketed the N$35 000 reward because the police relied on own investigations that led to the arrest.
During the burglary the suspects got away with “confidential documents,” together with staff laptops, cameras, a TV set and N$18 000 in cash. One of the laptops had minutes from previous Central Committee and Politburo meetings.