WINDHOEK – One of the men still in custody for robbery and rape charges in Uis yesterday appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on a charge of theft by false pretences while in jail.
Charles Namiseb, who together with Edwin Tourob face counts of robbery and rape in the High Court pretended to Ferdinand Mbindi that he has a bakkie (pick-up) for sale for N$60 000.
Ironically the con was masterminded while Namiseb was in custody awaiting trial for the rape and robbery charges that are yet to be finalised.
Namiseb and Tourob are accused of assaulting and robbing an elderly couple at the sleepy town of Uis in the Erongo Region on October 3, 2010 and also of raping a 69-year-old woman.
Both pleaded not guilty to the charges at the start of their trial in the High Court.
Namiseb who has been in custody since his arrest on the Uis charges allegedly placed an advert in a local daily and the complainant called him on the cellphone number provided.
It is further stated that Namiseb then instructed Mbindi to deposit the money into his bank account, which he did without first making sure that such a vehicle does exist.
On Thursday, Namiseb was informed about his right to legal representation and chose to defend himself. He also indicated to Magistrate Justine Asino that he would plead not guilty to the charge.
State prosecutor Samantha Diergaardt opposed bail as she said that there are indications that Namiseb is involved in other scams of the same nature.
Asino postponed the matter to February 27 next year and remanded Namiseb in custody again.
When this reporter went to take Namiseb’s picture he asked him a couple of questions. While he did not admit to anything, he said such things do happen in jail as life is tough behind bars.
By Roland Routh