WINDHOEK – Three former employees of South African Milk producer, Clover SA, made a first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on a charge of theft last week.
The three men Cornelius Immanuel, Elifas David and Festus Shevanyena were not asked to plead and their right to legal aid was explained to them by Magistrate Tuvoye Nuule last week. All three indicated that they would conduct their own defence. It is alleged that they stole 125 boxes of milk worth N$9 000. According to the charge sheet, on Saturday February 01, they went to the Brakwater depot of Clover and loaded a delivery van with the extra milk. A security guard saw them and alerted one of the managers who went to the site and took pictures of the clandestine operation. He then monitored them and on Monday, February 03, they loaded their delivery van with their normal orders and set off usual. It is stated that after they made their lawful deliveries, they went to Madeiro Supermarket in Pioneerspark where they allegedly sold the extra milk. They were arrested on the spot and according to them “forced” to resign before they were taken to the police station. It is not clear from the charge sheet whether the stolen milk was recovered. Prosecutor Verinao Kamahene informed the court that the State does not object to bail and proposed bail of N$3 500 for each one of the three accused.
Immanuel said he earned a salary of N$2 900 per month and could afford bail of N$2 500, while David said that he earned N$3 055 per month and could afford bail of only N$1 500. Shevanyena said before his dismissal he earned a salary of N$3 000 per month and could only afford bail of N$1 400. Nuule postponed the matter for further investigation on request of the State and granted the accused bail of N$2 000 each.
By Roland Routh