The family members of an alleged murder victim say they are traumatised after the accused were granted bail in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on 31 October.
Gideon Kalume (34), speaking on his late brother’s killing, in which a gun and panga were involved, says: “The police have failed us. The accused have not formally applied for bail nor appeared in court for a trial hearing. How were they granted bail just like that?”
The six accused (Lukas Simon, Festus Nehemia, Lukas Andreas, Kleopas Amutenya, Modestus Wilhem and Felex Imfusi) were granted bail in an amount of N$15 000 each after a year and two months in custody.
The men were charged with housebreaking and murder in connection with the death of Patrick Hamupunda, who was allegedly killed in his room in Katutura on 13 August last year.
Hamupunda was allegedly attacked by armed men with a pistol and a panga.
The accused were allegedly looking for the owner of a vehicle that was parked on the premises.
The police report states that they searched the rental rooms at the premises and found Hamupunda in one. A dispute arose, leading to the incident.
“The manner in which he was murdered with pangas and shooting was inhumane, and it is not fair that they were granted bail, and the police are covering up for it,” Kalume claims.
Hamupunda’s sister, Valendina David (30), says the docket did not reach the Office of the Prosecutor General in time for clear decision-making on the case.
“We want answers on the case. The manner in which it was handled was unlawful,” she says.
David says the family was informed the prosecutor general only received the docket the day they went to her office.
“The police didn’t give us answers, they only explained the bail conditions,” she says.
Hamupunda’s brother, Ushiinge David (28), says not only have they lost a brother, but also the father of nine children whom he looked after.
“I feel for them, and we are left to care for them now,” he says.
The family is asking that the granting of bail be cancelled.
Magistrate Mukuyu Dawid granted the accused bail on condition that they report to the Wanaheda Police Station twice a week.
Police regional crime investigations coordinator Crispin Mubebo has confirmed the case.
Prosecutor general Martha Imalwa could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
The case has been postponed to 20 January.
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