Security guard in court on charge of murder

By: WERNER MENGES

A 24-YEAR-OLD security guard appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on a murder charge yesterday, in a sequel to a shooting in the capital on New Year's Eve.

During his first court appearance following his New Year's Day

arrest, security guard Victor Milinga Simukwazi heard from

Magistrate Tuyenikelao Haikango that he is to remain in custody

while the investigation of his case continues.

He is scheduled to return to court on April 16.

 

Simukwazi was on duty at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's

offices in Schweitzer Street, Windhoek West when the shooting that

has now landed him in a Police cell took place.

 

The shot killed Felix Kastoor (21).

 

He and a friend were on their way to a service station in the

area when their paths crossed with Simukwazi's, who was returning

from the fuel station, at about 22h00 on New Year's Eve.

 

What happened next is in dispute.

 

According to the Police, they have evidence that Kastoor and his

companion had a bag of compact discs with them when they

encountered Simukwazi, and that they asked the guard whether he

wanted to buy some of the CDs.

 

He did not answer them, but took out a firearm.

 

Kastoor then approached Simukwazi and asked why he had taken out

his gun, it is claimed.

 

Without saying anything, the claim goes on, Simukwazi fired off

one shot, hitting Kastoor in the chest, and then ran away, the

Police said yesterday.

 

They added that Simukwazi had stated that, when Kastoor and his

companion approached him, Simukwazi thought he might be in

danger.

 

After warning them to come no closer, he then tried to flee,

Police say Simukwazi claimed.

 

When they pursued him, Simukwazi is said to have told them, he

fired off one shot on the run.

 

According to the Police, Simukwazi did not report the incident

and returned to duty at the NBC the next day.

 

He was arrested during that shift.

 

Kastoor worked as a gardener in Windhoek.

 

He leaves behind one child - a boy (2).

 

The Magistrate acceded to a request from the Public Prosecutor,

Vicky Nicolaidis, that Simukwazi be kept in custody until his

reappearance in court.

 

He is scheduled to return to court on April 16. Simukwazi was on

duty at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's offices in

Schweitzer Street, Windhoek West when the shooting that has now

landed him in a Police cell took place. The shot killed Felix

Kastoor (21). He and a friend were on their way to a service

station in the area when their paths crossed with Simukwazi's, who

was returning from the fuel station, at about 22h00 on New Year's

Eve. What happened next is in dispute. According to the Police,

they have evidence that Kastoor and his companion had a bag of

compact discs with them when they encountered Simukwazi, and that

they asked the guard whether he wanted to buy some of the CDs. He

did not answer them, but took out a firearm. Kastoor then

approached Simukwazi and asked why he had taken out his gun, it is

claimed. Without saying anything, the claim goes on, Simukwazi

fired off one shot, hitting Kastoor in the chest, and then ran

away, the Police said yesterday. They added that Simukwazi had

stated that, when Kastoor and his companion approached him,

Simukwazi thought he might be in danger. After warning them to come

no closer, he then tried to flee, Police say Simukwazi claimed.

When they pursued him, Simukwazi is said to have told them, he

fired off one shot on the run. According to the Police, Simukwazi

did not report the incident and returned to duty at the NBC the

next day. He was arrested during that shift. Kastoor worked as a

gardener in Windhoek. He leaves behind one child - a boy (2). The

Magistrate acceded to a request from the Public Prosecutor, Vicky

Nicolaidis, that Simukwazi be kept in custody until his

reappearance in court.

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