By Kuvee Kangueehi Windhoek The three suspects who were involved in the Woermann Brock store robbery on Sunday evening made a brief appearance at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Naftali Hamutenya, Festus Madume and Petrus Shoo-valeka appeared before Magistrate Gladys Vries in Court A and were remanded in custody until January 24, 2006. Thirty-six-year old Hamutenya and Madume (26) were arrested at the scene after they were wounded in the gun battle with the police. Shoovaleka, who is 30 years old, was arrested on Tuesday evening. He was the driver of the getaway car. Vries advised the three men to make a formal bail application when they make a second court appearance. She said she could not consider a bail hearing yesterday, as the court roll for bail hearing was full. She noted that everybody was applying for bail these days and the Katutura Magis-trate’s Court at the moment was short of personnel to deal with bail applications. The magistrate said the bail applications of the three must be formal because of the serious nature of their crime. She said it would take one and half days to prepare such applications. Police reports indicate that all three accused have pending cases of armed robberies. Meanwhile, the police have released the names of the two robbers who died on the scene after their next of to kin were informed. The deceased were Josef Alweendo and Gerson Haihambo. The police are on the hunt for two more suspects – Hango Armas Shivute and Wilhelm Penodino Nakale – who are still on the run. Shivute is originally from Okaku Ka Aumbi Village in the area of Okando Uukwambi – Omusati Region. He is believed to be either in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, LÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼deritz, Oshikuku or Oshakati. He is a former Bush Bucks FC player. The police described the suspect as very dangerous and cautioned the public not to attempt to effect a citizen’s arrest, but to immediately call the police. Shivute is also described as very quiet but dangerous. Nakale is originally from Okelemba in the Okatope area, Ohangwena Region. He is believed to be in the area of Windhoek. Nakale is also believed to be seriously injured and in need of medical attention. All hospitals – private and public – pharmacies and private doctors are requested to report any suspicious medical request. It is alleged that seven robbers stormed into the shop and held late night shoppers and staff at gunpoint. They allegedly took cash and some items from the shop before attempting to flee the scene, only to realise that the police had them surrounded. The robbers opened fire, after which the police returned fire in self-defence. Two of them were shot dead, while the other two were injured and arrested.
2005-12-092024-04-18By Staff Reporter