Magistrate Olga Muharukua yesterday granted bail to the three police officers implicated in a corruption case involving bribes amounting to at least N$ 25 000.
Deputy Commissioner Rector Sandema (51), Detective Senior Inspector Martin Basson (56), and Detective Senior Inspector Johannes Anghuwo (49) first appeared before the court on 28 February 2025, when their bail requests were denied due to concerns about interfering with the ongoing investigation and the administration of justice.
The trio is suspected of soliciting bribes from a businesswoman between 01 May and 29 July 2024 in exchange for assistance in recovering her allegedly stolen motor-vehicle.
The State, represented by Emma Mayavero, informed the court that it is no longer opposed to bail and proposed a bail amount of N$10 000 for each accused, along with stringent bail conditions. These conditions include staying away from the Commercial Crime Investigations Division office and avoiding interference with the investigations, State witnesses, and potential State witnesses. She further stated that investigations are still pending and suggested 2 June as a follow-up date.
Jermaine Muchali, appearing on behalf of Sandema, objected to the bail amount of
N$10 000. He stated that his client had been suspended from work without pay.
According to him, Sandema has been in custody for over a month with no income. He added that the Court should consider several factors, such as the accused’s need to pay bail and their lack of sufficient funds and proposed a bail amount between N$3 000 and N$5 000. He also urged the Court to impose the bail conditions suggested by the State. The magistrate agreed, and set the bail amount at N$5 000 for each accused. Basson was represented by Trevor Brockerhoff, while Anghuwo was represented by Collen Coxlela Lwenya.