WINDHOEK – The absence of a docket in court delayed the trial of a former unit commander of the Namibian Police Drug Law Enforcement Unit, Chief Inspector Freddy Basson last week.
Magistrate Justine Asino granted the State a postponement to trace the docket after State Prosecutor Samantha Diergaardt requested it.
Basson’s defence counsel Milton Engelbrecht did not object to the postponement and the trial was postponed to May 14 for the docket to be made available.
Basson is charged with theft of exhibits from the drug unit’s safe. The items he allegedly stole are cocaine valued at N$1 000 800, two video cameras valued at N$9 000 and cash of N$21 650. He was arrested on January 23 and made a first court appearance on January 24 when he was refused bail for fear that that he might interfere with the investigation. Basson is currently free on bail of N$40 000 with the condition that he report once per week at the Drug Law Enforcement Unit’s offices between the hours of 08h00 and 17h00.
By Roland Routh