Iuze Mukube

During the cross-examination of Namibian Police Chief Inspector Simeon Nghilalulwa in the bail hearing of Joel Angula on Tuesday, it was contended that the accused would likely interfere with witnesses and investigations if granted bail.

The inspector was responding to the question by the accused’s legal representative, Veiko Alexander, on the likelihood of the accused interfering with investigations.

Nghilalulwa stated that at the time of the arrest the accused was considered a victim; hence, he can intimidate the witnesses since he knows most of them from that time.

He pointed out that the accused at one time gave misleading information about not knowing the co-accused persons.

Therefore, for somebody that is not truthful from the onset, it will be very doubtful that he will be relied upon, especially to abide by the bail conditions.

The inspector indicated that there is another witness that directly implicates the accused.

Angula was allegedly spotted walking around by three witnesses and on CCTV recordings, fully armed with a pistol while Max Endjala and Sam Shololo were still in the premises, even though the accused denies being part of the robbery.

The inspector responded to a question on the diamonds mentioned in count two, robbery of 512 parcels, and how it links to the diamonds mentioned in count four of possession of the 13 parcels by the accused.

He stated that there are still 452 parcels of stones missing, and the 512 parcels were the total of the diamonds in the Namdia safe, and that the 13 parcels were part of the recovered diamonds at the accused’s residence.

He added that there is a likelihood the accused will interfere in investigations by disposing of those 452 parcels of missing diamonds or using them to commit further crimes. He also said that they could still be in the hands of someone who is yet to be arrested.

He conceded that while there is still no evidence that the accused is in possession of the 452 parcels, they have evidence that the 13 parcels found at his house were part of 512 parcels robbed at Namdia.

Alexander also contended that due to the scene of the crime not being properly contained, there is a likelihood the DNA belonging to his client, found on a blanket, could have been from him touching it after the criminal ordeal, probably during guard inspection.

Nghilalulwa conceded that the scene was not properly contained but argued that the accused was a police officer, “so for what reason would he go and tamper with evidence or touch the blanket?”

Another contention made on the uncontained crime scene was that of the consequences of a suspect picking up scattered diamonds from the Namdia premises. For instance, Samuel Shipanga was arrested for theft of diamonds for allegedly picking up or stealing diamonds from the premises, although he was not a part of the robbery.

Shipanga allegedly acted alone and was complicit in the theft and allegedly took four parcels from Namdia. He was expected to appear in court yesterday.

Alexander stated that his client was taken to Eros Airport for questioning, and the officers there threatened that he had no choice but to talk.

Additionally, the diamond tester found at his residence was brought in 2019 after completion of a course in South Africa and was even sent there for training by Namdia.

Magistrate Helvi Shikalepo postponed the matter to 27 January for continuation of the bail hearing in Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

–mukubeiuze@gmail.com