2015-07-03Staff Report 2 Rundu A 49-year-old Angolan male was on Monday arrested by the Kavango West Police for possession of 128 unpolished diamonds. The rough stones were reportedly found with the accused at Katwitwi border post in Kavango West as he crossed over to Namibia from Angola. The suspect, Alfonso Jeronimo Cassinda, made first court appearance in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and was charged with contravening Section 30 (1) of the Diamond Act 13 relating to possession of unpolished diamonds. He was denied bail as the State fears that since he is a foreigner is a high-flight risk and might abscond. He is being detained at the police station at Kahenge until his next court appearance. Cassinda appeared before magistrate Barry Mufana while Albert Titus represented the State. The case was remanded to August 06, 2015 for further police investigations and to enable the accused to enlist the services of a lawyer. State prosecutor Albert Titus said: “The suspected diamonds have now been sent to the lab for investigations to determine if they are real diamonds or not as well as what carat, if they are real, and also to determine their value.” 2015-07-03Staff Report 2
