By Anna Shilongo
WINDHOEK
One of the four Zimbabwe nationals who allegedly robbed the Standard Bank, Gobabis branch, in May this year escaped from police custody.
The suspect, Bakani Dube, was supposed to appear in the Windhoek Magistrates’ Court yesterday together with Plan Ndebele, Mthulisi Sibanda and Itai Mashamba.
Magistrate Sarel Jacobs was unaware of the escape and was only informed when he presided over the hearing in a packed Court B.
According to Namibian Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu, Dube escaped from the TB hospital in Windhoek on July 13 at around 17h00.
It is alleged that a man dressed in police uniform approached the officer guarding Dube and purported to have been sent by the police to collect him.
The officer only reported the incident five days later.
“He returned to work as if nothing had happened and he only reported the case at a later stage,” said Amulungu.
He said investigations are continuing and a case of complaints and discipline was lodged against the erring officer. The remaining suspects were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to December 12.
The suspects were not represented, and still have to apply for legal aid.
The three are charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The case before the court is that the gang walked into Standard Bank in Gobasis and ordered everybody inside to lie down, and jumped over the counter before getting away with N$150???_?_’???_?’???_???