WINDHOEK – Charles Namiseb, one of the accused in the case regarding an attack on an elderly couple in the sleepy mining town of Uis in the Erongo Region nearly four years ago claims he contracted asthma while in custody.
Namiseb made the claim while testifying in his bail hearing before Judge Alfred Siboleka. Namiseb and Edwin Tourob are accused of assaulting and robbing an elderly couple at Uis in the Erongo Region on October 3, 2010 and also of raping the 69-year-old woman. The matter was postponed to July 15 next year for the introduction of a report compiled by Maryn Swart of the Namibia Forensic and Scientific Institute.
It was this lengthy delay that prompted the defence counsels to institute bail proceedings, since both accused have been in custody since their arrest in 2010. Bronell Uirab, who represents Namiseb on instructions from the legal aid department, told the court that he feels that his client may be released on bail since the state has only one witness left to call before it closes its case. He said the original fears of the state that the accused might interfere with witnesses no longer holds water, because the investigations are completed and most of the witnesses have already testified.
He contended that so far the state did not adduce a prima facie case against his client and that it is time his client tastes fresh air again. The bail hearing continues today at 09h00.
By Roland Routh