Iuze Mukube 

A 45-year-old resident of Windhoek has denied involvement in the attack, murder and diamond heist that occurred at the Namdia building in January this year. 

The denial occurred during the formal bail hearing of diamond heist accused Joel Angula in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. 

Angula faces the charges of murder, robbery, two counts of attempted murder and possession of rough and uncut diamonds. In addition to these charges, other counts were added to his charge sheet, including theft of diamonds, possession of an unknown quantity of rough or uncut diamonds. 

Additionally, one count of disguising the unlawful origin of property in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. During the session, his lawyer Veiko Alexander, started by stating that Angula should have been amongst the list of victims and not as an accused. 

He added that it is very unlikely that Angula will be charged with the theft of diamonds or other charges if the matter were to be tried in the High Court. Angula, during his testimony, indicated that should he be tried on the charges, he would tender pleas of not guilty to all the charges. This indication is based on that he is unaware of how senior protection officer, Francis Eiseb (58) died or who killed him. He stated he was tied with a cable on both arms and legs in a toilet in the Namdia building by suspected robbers during the robbery incident. 

He added that his head was also covered with a bag, so he did not know what transpired or happened at the time. 

“I did not plan with anybody, and there is no evidence before this court that I planned with anybody,” stated the accused. 

Angula also denied stabbing or planning with anyone to stab the two complainants in the two counts of attempted murder. 

On the possession or theft of diamonds, he explained that he did not know the contents of the parcels that were found at his residence and that it was the police who told him it was diamonds. “I did not move any parcels from Namdia,” he stated. 

On the grounds of the State’s opposition to bail, he stated that he understood what the State is saying about the seriousness of the offence, but that he is not guilty of this. He stated that he was only arrested after the police apparently discovered that one of the robber suspects involved in the matter, Max Endjala, was his family member. 

Endjala (44), whom Angula stated was his cousin, is reported to have committed suicide prompted by the closing in of police members at the scene of the incident. 

Regarding the ground of fear of absconding, the accused stated that he has no reason to flee simply because he is innocent of the matter. 

Additionally, he stated he has not been given full disclosure from the State and will unlikely interfere with investigations and witnesses. 

He added also that he formally applied for bail late because he wanted to give the State and the police enough time to complete investigations in order not to jeopardise or interfere with investigations. 

The matter continues in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court before magistrate Atutala Shikalepo. The State is represented by Johannes Kalipi. –mukubeiuze@gmail.com