A local authority councillor has been arrested for possession of cannabis.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Mariental municipality councillor Shekutamba Michael Jonas (26) is due to appear in the local
court today following his arrest.

He was arrested after drugs, valued at N$231 000, were seized at a Mariental liquor store last Thursday. 

Hardap deputy commissioner Eric Clay confirmed to New Era the suspect would appear in court on charges of dealing in prohibited drugs. Jonas became the second IPC councillor to be arrested in less than a year, following the arrest of fellow patriot and Kalkrand village councillor Simeon Martin, who was nabbed for stock theft in November last year.  Martin was immediately removed from representing the party. 

Clay said Jonas was arrested in connection with 54 parcels of pure cannabis and loose cannabis, weighing 14kg, and three black plastic bags containing skunk cannabis,  weighing 1.7kg, seized last week by the police with a total value of N$230 950. Ben Muharukua (51), the other suspect, was detained and appeared in court on Monday without being granted bail. IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge yesterday said he was not aware of the arrest; however, he said the party always encourages its leaders to obey the law at all times.

“Whatever happened, I am not informed but as they say, you are not guilty until found guilty by a competent court of law. Let the law take its course,” Nashinge said. The Namibian Police yesterday announced they arrested 148 suspects for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs, valued at over N$2 million in August 2022.