By Roland Routh
WINDHOEK – Two men from the Zambezi Region on Friday made a first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on a charge of dealing in cocaine. However, Hillary Samulele, 39, and 56-year-old Morris Mwala seemed not to know where they were and what was going on.
They were not asked to plead and when their rights to legal representation were explained to them both indicated they would engage private lawyers.
It is alleged by the State that the two accused dealt in 10 grams of cocaine with a value of N$5 000 near the TransNamib train station in Windhoek on June 4.
Both accused seemed very nervous and appeared to have no understanding of the court proceedings.
Magistrate John Sindano took pains to explain to the accused what was happening in court after Samulele indicated he could only understand some English as his mother tongue is Subia. He told the magistrate that he needed to contact his family in Zambezi to engage a lawyer for him.
Mwala who said that he is conversant in both English and Silozi likewise said that he needed to contact his family.
After State prosecutor Nasilele Siyambango asked for a postponement to enable the accused to get legal representation, she proposed bail of N$2 000 for each accused.
Again both accused did not seem to comprehend what was happening and Sindano had to explain that they must pay the money to be freed on condition that they return to court on the remand date.
Both then said they understood and their case was postponed to July 24.
rrouth@newera.com.na