OSHAKATI – Villagers and a local headman yesterday objected to bail for three suspects who are accused of holding two women at gunpoint at the end of July this year.
The two women, Hangula Rebbeca (21) and Martha Tuyoleni (34) say they were held at gunpoint by three masked men on July 27, 2013, at Okaleke Bar and Mini Market at Oshikushashipya, a village in the Etayi constituency. The three suspects are Paulus Ashivudhi (36), Julius Titus (26) both from Omaalala and Fillipus Paulus (28) from Onelago. It is alleged that the accused approached the two women while on their way to their dormitory, held them at gunpoint, covered their mouths with sticky tape, tied their legs and arms to their backs and then covered the two with a blanket. Tuyoleni’s one-year-and-seven-months old baby was placed on top of the blanket that covered the two. The accused then demanded the keys to both the bar and market and managed to get away with a jukebox, three cellphones and cash estimated to be N$72 000.
Recounting her ordeal to the court here, Tuyoleni said she managed to free herself and took off to inform the neighbours who alerted the police. The accused were arrested the following day (28/09/2013). The previously convicted accused tabled their bail application before Magistrate Mika Namweya, on Monday, which continued yesterday in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court.
The headman of Oshikushashipya, Nikanor Simon (60), who is also a witness in the case, objected to their bail application due to the manner in which the crime was committed. The headman also read a petition that was written by the people of the concerned village. Members of the community object to the bail application emphasizing the fact that one of the accused is still at large and that the accused may commit the same or similar crimes. The villagers have had it and say too many crimes are committed in their village and they also fear for the safety of their families. Simon told the court that so far this year there have been seven break-ins at the village and each was committed in a manner similar to the attack on the two victims. Furthermore, the arrests of the two suspects were the first arrests to made so far this year. Simon also told the court that there have been no break-ins at the village since the arrest of the accused in July. Their bail application plea will continue today in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court.
By Nuusita Ashipala