Bail for Zim kidnap trio

THREE Zimbabwean nationals who were arrested in October last year after they allegedly kidnapped a Chinese man in Windhoek and demanded N$1 million in ransom for his release have been granted bail of N$5 000 each.

Zimbabweans Blessing Muzanenhamo (24), Takesure Chirau (33) and Spencer Murigagumbo (28) are facing charges of kidnapping, extortion and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident that led to their arrest in Windhoek 14 months ago. They made their ninth appearance on the charges in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday last week.With their case again being postponed – this time so that it can be determined if they have been granted legal aid by the Directorate of Legal Aid – the three accused men were granted bail of N$5 000.Muzanenhamo was released on November 27 already after his bail had been paid at Windhoek Central Prison.By yesterday, there was no indication on the three men’s case record at the court that bail had been paid for his co-accused yet.The three men are accused of having kidnapped a Chinese man, Huang Wenbin, in Windhoek on October 6 last year.They allegedly assaulted Huang by spraying tear gas in his eyes and hitting him on the head with a firearm, and allegedly kidnapped him by tying his arms and legs and bundling him into the boot of a car.They allegedly then tried to force Huang’s son-in-law to pay them N$1 million in ransom.After the incident, the Namibian Police reported that Huang (57) was kidnapped after a Volkswagen Golf with four men inside had crashed into his car and then grabbed him and drove away with him.Huang managed to escape from his captors and alerted the Police after his kidnappers had made the N$1 million ransom demand, the Police also reported at the time.They made their ninth appearance on the charges in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday last week.With their case again being postponed – this time so that it can be determined if they have been granted legal aid by the Directorate of Legal Aid – the three accused men were granted bail of N$5 000.Muzanenhamo was released on November 27 already after his bail had been paid at Windhoek Central Prison.By yesterday, there was no indication on the three men’s case record at the court that bail had been paid for his co-accused yet.The three men are accused of having kidnapped a Chinese man, Huang Wenbin, in Windhoek on October 6 last year.They allegedly assaulted Huang by spraying tear gas in his eyes and hitting him on the head with a firearm, and allegedly kidnapped him by tying his arms and legs and bundling him into the boot of a car.They allegedly then tried to force Huang’s son-in-law to pay them N$1 million in ransom.After the incident, the Namibian Police reported that Huang (57) was kidnapped after a Volkswagen Golf with four men inside had crashed into his car and then grabbed him and drove away with him.Huang managed to escape from his captors and alerted the Police after his kidnappers had made the N$1 million ransom demand, the Police also reported at the time.