Okaku councillor Hannu Gerson Kapenda was granted bail of N$10 000 in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court after appearing for culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving.
Kapenda, who is also the Oshana Regional Council chairperson, is accused of killing northern musician-turned-actor Gabriel Emvula in a hit-and-run incident on Tuesday evening at Oshikuku in the Omusati region. Popularly known as General Mandala geEpafu, Emvula succumbed to the injuries in a local hospital. He was 41. The incident occurred at around 21h00 on Tuesday evening at Oshikuku. It is alleged that the councillor was driving a government car on the Outapi-Oshikuku main road when it hit Emvula. Upon granting Kapenda bail, magistrate Toini Shilongo warned him to appear on 5 July, and also not to interfere in the police investigation. Prosecutor Samingo Kassaona did not oppose bail. Following his death, Emvula’s family asked why Kapenda would run away after he had caused an accident. “Was he not supposed to stop and help where he could, or call the ambulance or police?” they wanted to know. Emvula was described as a multi-talented singer, and a very smart man.