Swakopmund
Walvis Bay murder suspect Gotlieb Panduleni, who is accused of the vicious assault and murder of 50-year-old Walvis Bay businessman Hans-Jorg Möller on Friday was out on bail for three other murder cases when he allegedly committed the latest crime.
Panduleni was yesterday brought before Magistrate John Sindano on a charge of murder, attempted murder and robbery.
Panduleni – alongside five other suspects – allegedly shot Möller in the stomach while the latter was trying to protect his family (his 48-year-old wife Carol-Ann Sowden Möller and their two children, aged six and four years) from the attackers during an armed robbery at the family’s home at Walvis Bay on Friday.
Möller, who was rushed to hospital shortly after the robbers fled from their house, underwent an emergency operation at Cottage Hospital in Swakopmund, but died several hours later.
Panduleni is one of the main suspects arrested over the weekend in connection with the murder. He was arrested while on his way Oshakati and was allegedly found in possession of the murder weapon during the arrest.
State prosecutor Tresia Hafeni opposed bail for the suspect, stating that he is a flight risk and given the seriousness of the crime committed, as well as the high probability of arresting other suspects, it would not be feasible to grant bail to the suspect.
Panduleni was then denied bail. His case was postponed to August 2 for further investigation and to allow him to submit a formal bail application.
Police officers and court officials yesterday shortly after Panduleni’s first court appearance in a fully-packed Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court, told New Era that Panduleni has had a lengthy run-in with the law.
According to law enforcement officials Panduleni was out on bail on at least three murder cases, as well as a series of attempted murder, armed robbery and housebreaking and theft cases.
Deputy Police Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa yesterday confirmed that a third suspect has been arrested and will appear in Walvis Bay today, alongside another suspect, who was arrested in Windhoek.
The Erongo regional crime investigations coordinator could, however, not provide further details for fear of jeopardising the ongoing investigation.