Iuze Mukube 

The trial of a 30-year-old man who is accused of allegedly indiscriminately firing a gun in a bar and restaurant in the capital, which subsequently hit a patron, has been postponed to January, next year. 

Gabes Shiimi faces the charges of murder and discharging a firearm in public in relation to the death of Nande Simon Mulokoshi (35) at Chicago Bar and Restaurant in Windhoek on 15 June.He made an appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday for a formal bail application before his case was postponed to next year. Therefore, the trial was postponed for continuation of formal bail application. 

The State alleges that Shiimi shot and killed Mulokoshi unlawfully and intentionally with a weapon on 15 June at the Chicago Bar on Independence Avenue in Windhoek. 

It is further alleged that Shiimi unlawfully and intentionally discharged a firearm in a public place, which violates the Arms & Ammunition Act. In addition, the accused was charged with drunken driving in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court. 

It is alleged that the former car dealer was involved in a fight at the bar and restaurant and was escorted off the premises by bouncers. Afterwards, he came back with a gun he had allegedly retrieved from his car and began making empty shots into the air. 

It is reported that he went back to his car to reload after the magazine was emptied. 

He then allegedly returned to the bar to fire random shots, and this round of shooting deviated a stray bullet that is believed to have struck and killed Mulokoshi. 

Shiimi allegedly drove away from the crime scene and was apprehended at a city-centre roadblock for driving while excessively intoxicated. 

He was later found to match the description of the alleged shooter at the bar while in police custody for drinking and driving. 

Magistrate Olga Muharukua postponed the matter to 23 January for continuation of bail application.The State is represented by Eric Naikaku. Shiimi remains in custody. 

–mukubeiuze@gmail.com