2016-04-14Staff Report 2 "Katima MuliloThree Namibian women appeared in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court a week ago court on seven accounts of theft. The three were identified as Ester David, 31, Toini Kapitango, 33, and Johanna Kanyanga, 30. The three accused were heading to the northern regions when they were arrested on Tuesday at Kongola Checkpoint after they failed to account for items in their possession. Among others, the alleged stolen items included clothes to the value of about N$14 000, believed to have been stolen from six local shops in Katima Mulilo. There were also alcoholic beverages to the value of about N$21 500, believed to have been stolen from Katima Mulilo Pick n Pay. The police believe it have been an inside job. “We suspect that this was an inside job, as six empty cases of alcoholic beverages were found hidden behind the shelves at Pick n Pay and this is the same amount of whisky, which was found in possession of the three accused persons,” police spokesperson in the Zambezi Region Warrant Officer Kisco Sitali said. Sitali called on shopowners to deploy precautionary measures against theft. “We’ve realised some shops don’t have security guards at the doors to verify receipts as they use their employees and these are the people we suspect of being involved in the syndicate,” Sitali said. During their first appearance in court the three accused persons indicated that they would conduct their own defence. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were denied bail and the case was postponed to May 19 to allow for further investigations. Magistrate Karel Muyeghu presided, while Prosecutor Roger Sibungo appeared for the State. [caption id=""attachment_86873"" align=""alignnone"" width=""201""] Suspected loot… Numerous bottles of whisky were allegedly found in possession of the suspects.[/caption] " 2016-04-14Staff Report 2
