A second suspect accused of involvement in a deadly robbery at the Windhoek office of Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) on 18 January, Sam Shololo, made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Shololo (45) is charged alongside Joel Angula (45), whose first court appearance took place last Tuesday.
Angula and Shololo are charged in connection with an armed robbery at the office of the state-owned Namdia during which the company’s chief of security, Francis Eiseb (57), was killed.
Another suspect, Max Endjala, allegedly fatally shot himself as police officers closed in on him.
It is alleged that the suspects unlawfully entered the Namdia building, held staff members at gunpoint and knifepoint, and stole diamonds valued at about N$350 million.
Namibian Police deputy inspector general Elias Motata has informed Nampa that some of the diamonds have been recovered.
Shololo’s court appearance before magistrate Olga Muharukua ended with the magistrate postponing his case to 23 May and ordering that he should be held in custody in the meantime.
Public prosecutor Rowan van Wyk informed the court that the state objects to bail being granted to Shololo because of the seriousness of the charges he is facing, the strength of the state’s case against him, the fear that he would interfere with witnesses in the matter, and because it would not in the interests of the administration of justice and the public interest to release him on bail.
Van Wyk also indicated that the state considers Shololo to be a flight risk.
The magistrate explained to Shololo that he has a right to formally apply to be granted bail.
Shololo indicated that he will be applying for state-funded legal aid.
Angula and Shololo are charged with counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of uncut diamonds, as well as two counts of attempted murder.
Shololo was hospitalised during the past week, after he was injured before his arrest.
– Additional reporting by Nampa
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