WINDHOEK – Three trial-awaiting inmates made their first court appearance yesterday for allegedly stabbing a police officer at the Katutura police station last week.
Ruddy Rautenbach, 26, Rodney Goseb, 27, and Anton Phiri, 26, appeared before Magistrate Surita Savage on charges of attempted murder and escaping from lawful custody.
Their matter was remanded to July 30 and the three were remanded in police custody.
The three trial-awaiting prisoners allegedly stabbed a police officer 14 times in the Katutura police station cells while he was on duty conducting a routine count of inmates and dispensing medication to those not in good health. The alleged incident took place on the night of April 30.
The police officer is now fighting for his life in the Windhoek state hospital’s intensive care unit.
Information from the police indicate the inmates allegedly sneaked up on the police officer from behind, threw a blanket over him and stabbed him 14 times with a sharp object. One of the other inmates was stabbed while trying to rescue the police officer.
The inmates then took the keys to the cells. They managed to escape, but were later re-arrested.
Chief Inspector Ishmael Basson informed New Era last week that they suspect that police officers are somehow involved in getting sharp objects as well as drugs into the cells because it is impossible for inmates to have them without assistance from outside.
Family members and friends of the inmates also sneak in objects concealed in food and shoes.
By Tunomukwathi Asino