Windhoek
A lawyer representing a Windhoek businessman, who allegedly shot dead a Finnish national at a local sports bar in Windhoek in August, withdrew from the case when the accused Danne Rodney Shaningwa, 43 made his second appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court due to a conflict of interest.
Martha Hangula withdrew from the case on Friday and Shaningwa is now represented by Vetu Uanivi. Shaningwa remains in custody and the matter will proceed on January 27 next year.
During his first appearance in August the prosecution objected to bail on grounds Shaningwa may abscond from Namibia to other countries while free on bail to avoid prosecution, due to the seriousness of the charge he is facing.
The other reason given for the refusal to grant bail was that it would not be in the interest of the administration of justice and the public at large to grant Shaningwa bail, as police investigations into the suspected murder case were still at an early stage and he may interfere with the police investigation.
Shaningwa was arrested at his family home in Windhoek North in August after being on the run for almost two days. He allegedly fired nine rounds from his pistol, killing Finnish national, Ronni Marco Kristian Uolevi, 42, on the spot in Bell Street in the southern industrial area of Windhoek after Uolevi apparently drove into the back of his vehicle with a Land Rover Discovery.
After the incident unsubstantiated reports suggested that a woman – who allegedly got into Uolevi’s vehicle that night – was involved in the altercation. Magistrate Justine Asino presided, while Tatelo Cuthbert represented the State.