WINDHOEK – The head of the Namibian Police public relations division, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi told New Era on Tuesday that a docket “vanishing” would not derail a criminal case.
He said unlike in the past, all criminal dockets are usually backed up, and if they are not backed up, the interviews could be re-conducted.
Some criminal cases have failed to see the light of day after the original dockets with crucial information went missing.
Last Thursday a local lawyer and a sergeant from the Serious Crime Unit were each granted bail of N$25 000 each when they made a first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
They face a charge of corruption for allegedly conniving to have a docket disappear of Chadian-born Adoum Yakhoub, who is charged with housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
Vetu Uanivi, 30, and Sergeant Joao Alfonso, 52, stood in the dock in a packed courtroom filled with Alfonso’s colleagues, who not only have to drive with him, as usual, but also handcuff and take him to the Hosea Kutako police holding cells where civil servants and police officers are usually locked up.
Prosecutor Henry Muhongo informed Magistrate John Sindano the prosecution did not object to the two being granted bail. Muhongo requested the matter be remanded to 21 November as investigations were at an infant stage.
The postponement was also requested as statements from state witnesses need to be obtained.
Uanivi’s former colleagues at the defunct Nambahu & Uanivi Attorneys law firm also came to listen to proceedings. Uanivi was a partner at the law firm, and on Thursday he entrusted his former partner, Christian Nambahu, who now runs Nambahu Attorneys law firm to represent him.
By Tunomukwathi Asino