Petrus Shikwaya, who is accused of providing money to buy the acid allegedly used in the attack that killed Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, has been denied bail.
Shikwaya was arrested on 23 November last year and is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder in common purpose, murder in common purpose and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Shikwaya is also accused of defrauding Sanlam Namibia of N$154 000 by falsely claiming to have been hospitalised at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital.
Shikwaya denied this claim, saying the money belonged to his uncle, Abner Mateus.
During Shikwaya’s bail application in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court, investigating officer detective chief inspector Antonius Gabriel told the court that Shiweda’s killing was allegedly carried out on the instructions of Mateus.
Gabriel alleged that Mateus wanted Shiweda killed after the prosecutor refused to grant him bail in a fraud matter involving N$70 000 belonging to a retired Namibian Defence Force member.
He further told the court that Mateus allegedly planned to burn the room at the Ondangwa court where his docket was kept.
In denying bail on Friday, magistrate Kaeren Kleopas said Shikwaya had failed to demonstrate that his release would be in the interests of justice.
“I am satisfied that the applicant has failed to discharge the onus resting upon him to demonstrate that his release on bail would be in the interests of justice. His continued detention is accordingly justified at this stage,” Kleopas said in her judgement.
The magistrate further held that Shikwaya had failed to establish that he was a suitable candidate for bail.
“In the result, the following is the order of the court. Bail is denied,” she said.
