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Buyer of murdered man’s cellphone granted bail

2021-07-26  Roland Routh

Buyer of murdered man’s cellphone granted bail

The man who bought the stolen cellphone of murdered businessman Daniele Ferrari was granted bail of N$5 000 on Friday by Windhoek magistrate Linus Samunzala. 

The court also set stringent bail conditions, which Antonio Muvua Cheme (26) must adhere to. It was ordered that he must not interfere directly or indirectly with State witnesses, must report Mondays and Fridays between 08h00 and 17h00 at the Serious Crimes Unit of the Namibian Police, and is not to leave the district of Windhoek without the permission of the investigating officer.

Cheme was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property and obstructing or attempting to obstruct the course of justice related to the murder and robbery of Ferrari, who was killed on 14 July 2020 at the Avis Dam and had his wallet, cellphone and wristwatch robbed.

Kefas Iileka (33) and Johannes Shetunyenga (32) were arrested after Cheme informed the police that he bought the stolen cellphone from them. They are facing charges of murder and robbery. Iileka already made a confession before a magistrate, and both remain in custody while awaiting trial.

Cheme had to bring a formal bail application through his legal aid lawyer, Tuna Nhinda, after the State strenuously objected to bail on the grounds that the charges are serious, that the accused is a flight risk and that he is likely to interfere with the investigation and with State witnesses.

Samunzala, however, found that none of the grounds were reason enough to deprive Cheme of his liberty as it could be addressed by the imposition of stringent conditions.

Evidence led during the bail hearing suggested that Cheme is a buyer of electronic gadgets without requiring proof of ownership, and that’s how he came into possession of Ferrari’s cellphone. The charge of defeating the course of justice came about after he allegedly instructed Iikela to destroy the phone as it is linked to a murder investigation.


2021-07-26  Roland Routh

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