Iuze Mukube

The bail application of a 44-year-old man, accused of illegal wildlife hunting, was dismissed last Wednesday in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Jozanne Klazen. The accused, Mukobela Lasken Mukobela, a police officer, was arrested on 10 December 2024 for his alleged involvement in a poaching syndicate.

This came nearly two years after the rest of the group, consisting of five members, including him, were arrested in 2023.

The State had opposed the granting of bail on the grounds that it had a strong case, fear he would abscond, fear of interference with witnesses and investigations, public interest and the interest of the administration of justice,  and propensity to commit  offences.

The accused had pointed to his personal circumstances of being single with four children, who are all under his financial care.

Mukobela denied all allegations against him.  He said on 21 January 2023 at the time of the incident, he was elsewhere.

Furthermore, he said he had no pending matters, but later admitted three criminal cases related to his work performance that were still pending.

These cases include a murder charge, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and one involving a car accident.

The State presented evidence from an investigation officer, who testified that a rhino was shot and killed on Farm Kalakwa in the district of Seeis on 21 January  2023.

Police investigations reveal  that Mukobela was part of the syndicate that committed the
crime. His involvement included transporting two of the perpetrators from the Zambezi region to Windhoek to commit the offence with a police vehicle.

The court found that the State had made a showing of having a strong prima facie case against him. This came in the form of witness testimony by an investigation officer that the accused is directly linked to three of the perpetrators.

It was supported by statements made by all five, detailing how the crime was committed. 

This implicated him as the person who provided transport to the Zambian nationals.

Trite law states that he still bears accountability, even though he had denied being at the scene of the crime and with some of the accused. This means that even if he did not commit every element of the crime, his alleged role in transporting the poachers remains crucial to its completion.

Therefore, providing transport alone may seem to distance him from the crime.

 However, without it, the crime might not have been committed.

Klazen found that due to the seriousness of the offences, it will not be in the interest of the public or the administration of justice for him to be released on bail, thus refusing his application.

The group, consisting of Oustenzen Matengu (37), Mubu Kumpoma (23), Mukobela and two others, is facing seven counts related to the illegal hunting of a black rhino. -mukubeiuze@gmail.com