Windhoek
The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court was allegedly broken into last Tuesday and Wednesday evening, New Era learned on Friday. On each occasion a computer was allegedly taken.
New Era could not establish more details and court clerks spoke on condition of anonymity. They said after the alleged break-in fingerprints were taken, leading to some workers questioning why fingerprints were taken while they were not taken three years ago when an interpreter at the same court and a taxi driver were charged for breaking into the prosecutor’s office to steal a case docket.
The head of the Police Public Relations Division Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi could not be reached for comment.
Thomas Mutilifa and Hafeni Kafila Kautwima are charged with the theft of three dockets that contained cases of robbery and fraud.
Mutilifa was an interpreter at the same court where the docket theft occurred and he was also an interpreter in the High Court.
He later only interpreted in the High Court. He has since secured a new job.
Mutilifa and Kautwima allegedly stole the dockets after they broke into the then prosecutor Hendricks Tholiso’s office between January 17 and 18, 2012. Tholiso no longer works at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court
That matter is still pending in court.
After that incident, the Ministry of Justice installed surveillance cameras in the foyers and entrance to the court building as well as an alarm system.
Burglar doors were also installed after the incident. But New Era learned on Friday that after the computers were stolen, upon looking at the surveillance cameras it was unclear who the suspect was as the visuals were not clear.
Last year New Era reported that police sources had revealed surveillance cameras and the electric fence at the Windhoek Police Station were dysfunctional and so far resulted in the escape of two detainees.
Trial-awaiting detainees are aware of the situation and have taken advantage of it to plot their escape.
The then Khomas regional commander, Major General Desiderius Shilunga, had claimed ignorance over the situation. “I don’t know about that,” Shilunga said curtly then when approached for comment.