Two men who were arrested for having a hand in the death of a 22-year-old whose remains were found in a freezer at Herero Mall in Katutura Central, want to be released on bail.

Malakia Mateus (22) and Amos Israel (35) have launched a formal bail application in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court.

The court has since scheduled to hear the matter on 12 April. 

Mateus and his co-accused Israel remain detained at the Katutura police holding cells. 

The State strongly opposed the accused’s release on bail when they made their first court appearance on 4 November 2021. 

At the time, the State indicated that the pair were facing serious charges, that there was a fear they might abscond before they stand trial, and that investigations were still ongoing. 

Furthermore, it would not have been in the interest of the public nor the administration of justice to release Mateus and his co-accused on bail.

The pair are charged with a count of murder and attempting to obstruct or defeat the course of justice.

They were arrested last year following the discovery of the remains of Levi Kondjeni Mutundu Paulus in an unplugged freezer.

According to a police crime report, the victim was last seen two days before the grim discovery. 

The police said Paulus, who is suspected to be an Angolan national, conducted business at Herero Mall. He was last seen alive on 29 October 2021. 

However, his body was only discovered on 31 October 2021 after a strong smell prompted the family to enter the bar where they found his already decomposing body “inside a closed refrigerator”.

The police suspect Paulus was assaulted because his body was brutally bruised and inside the room, there were some signs of scuffles. 

The case is currently still being investigated by the police. According to prosecutor Edel Upindi, the prosecution is waiting for laboratory results. 

Magistrate Olga Likando has since postponed the case to 2 June for laboratory results.  

- mamakali@nepc.com.na