By Roland Routh
WINDHOEK – One of the two Chinese nationals who are facing charges – together with an Indian national – of dealing in and possession of controlled wildlife products wants to be released on bail in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
Hou Xuecheng, 37, faces a count of dealing in and possession of four elephant tusks with Rajaiyah Ranjith Kumar, 30, and Sha Zhiwei, 27, and alone faces a charge of being in possession of two cheetah skins without a permit.
An earlier bail application by Kumar was denied by Magistrate Jermaine Muchali Muchali.
Defence attorney Vetu Uanivi represents all three accused. During the bail application, Xuecheng who operates a vegetable farm at Goreangab Dam said that his businesses are suffering because of his continued incarceration.
He said he owned two companies which have stopped working as he was not there. “My workers are still at the sites, the farm and a shop in China Town, but they are not working,” he said.
Asked by Uanivi if there was anyone else to take charge he said he only has one Chinese employee who does not speak any English.
He further told the court that he has between 10 to 15 employees at the vegetable farm which he rents from Swapo and a further 10 to 20 employees at his brickmaking and transport firm.
He owns property in Windhoek valued at N$3 million including three trucks which are now standing idle, Xuecheng told the court.
According to Xuecheng he is married to a Namibian citizen with whom he has two children.
He also has another three children with a Chinese national who is currently in China with the children, he said.
He further said he had nothing to do with the elephant tusks and that he was “at the wrong place at the wrong time”.
In cross-examination public prosecutor, Verinao Kamehene, attacked Xuecheng with a vengeance.
He told the Chinese national he would bring evidence that the farm he rents in fact belongs to Ceret, a non-profit organisation, and that he (Xuecheng) is just an employee.
He further said that his so-called marriage was one of convenience and that he never lived as husband and wife with the Namibian woman he married.
“In fact”, Kamehene said, “I have evidence that your wife wants to divorce you.” He also refuted Xuecheng’s claim that he was never before convicted in a Namibian court.
“You were convicted at least twice of receiving stolen property,” he told Xuecheng, adding: “Once in 2007 and once in 2010, plus you have at least four pending cases against you.”
The matter was postponed to 17 July with Xuecheng still under cross-examination from Kamehene.
The three accused made a first appearance a month ago after they were arrested when police officers conducting a sweep in the Northern Industrial Area for drug related activities, noticed suspicious looking vehicles near NaTIS Valley.
The officers apparently monitored the situation involving a Toyota Conquest and a VW Amarok. When the boot of the Conquest was opened by the suspects they approached with their lights switched off.
After they introduced themselves as police officers a search of the vehicles uncovered four elephant tusks.
The driver of the sedan vehicle managed to escape in the dark, but with the police hot on his heels.
The three accused were then taken to Xuecheng’s place of business where the cheetah skins were discovered. The suspects were arrested.
It was also revealed the accused claimed they did not know that the person who escaped was offering them elephant tusks as he allegedly only informed them that he had something that might interest them.
The meeting which was interrupted by the police was the result of a tipoff, it is alleged.