2016-01-26Staff Report 2 Windhoek The bail hearing of one of three suspects involved in the alleged robbery of N$170 000 from the manager of Total Service Station in Pionierspark last November will commence in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court next Monday. Leonard Niilenge faces a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances. Last November State Prosecutor Erastus Hatutale requested the matter to be remanded to February 24 this year and objected to Niilenge being granted bail. The prosecutor said four firearms were used in the commissioning of the robbery, none of which have been recovered. He further said at the time there are additional suspects wanted in connection with the robbery. “We fear that if accused is released on bail he will interfere with the ongoing police investigations, in particular, the three suspects at large,” argued the State Prosecutor. Hatutale had said investigations were at a preliminary stage, and it would not be in the interest of the public and the fair administration of justice if the accused were released on bail then. The matter was then remanded by Magistrate Jermaine Muchali to February 24 for further investigations and legal aid. Niilenge, accompanied by his lawyer, handed himself to the police last November. A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to New Era that two of the three suspects wanted in connection with the armed robbery faced multiple pending robbery cases before the Katutura Magistrate’s Court and were out on bail at the time of the recent robbery. Profiles provided by City Police show that Niilenge is a resident of Havana in Katutura and has five pending criminal cases registered against his name. He faces a charge of robbery at Outapi, two housebreaking cases in Windhoek, a case of kidnapping and assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, and pointing of a firearm. Jesaya Haule Kamulu, a resident of Freedom Land’s Ombo Street, also has a case of armed robbery pending and was recently arrested. The third suspect is still on the run. The group allegedly fled the scene of the crime in a black Volkswagen Jetta that was found abandoned along Hendrik Witbooi Drive behind Pionierspark and the Western Bypass after one of its tyres had a blowout. The armed gang reportedly fled on foot in the direction of Rocky Crest. The owner of the service station allegedly fired shots at the robbers, who quickly fled the scene after looting the money. No one was injured during the shoot-out. 2016-01-26Staff Report 2
