WINDHOEK – A Kenyan and an Ethiopian citizen who gave their residential address as May Fair in Johannesburg, South Africa appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court before magistrate Justine Asino last week Thursday on a charge of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act by their acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of unlawful activities.
They were allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants from South Africa through Namibia to Germany for which they were paid N$180 000. Mohamednoor Hussein Ibrahim whose age was given as 27 and is said to originate from Kenya and 40-year-old Abraham Tadedde Belay who is believed to be Ethiopian were not asked to plead and were both represented by OJ Lino.
Prosecutor Kandiwapa Nangombe strongly objected to bail being granted to the accused as both have a pending case of theft in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court, while Belay has a further pending case. According to Nangombe both accused have a propensity to commit similar offences should they be released on bail. Another fear is that since both accused are foreigners with no ties to Namibia and face a serious charge they might abscond. There are also fears that the accused would interfere with the investigation since the witnesses, the illegal immigrants, are known to them.
Lino informed the magistrate that he has instructions from his clients to bring a formal bail application. The case has in the meantime been postponed to March 03 for further investigation and the prosecutor has indicated that it is possible that further charges such as human trafficking could be added to the charge sheet.
By Roland Routh