4 cops arrested on murder charge at Keetmanshoop

POLICE at Keetmanshoop have arrested four members of the Serious Crime and Special Branch units at the town on charges of murder.

Marthinus Punye (29), Johannes Mushelenga (44), Niklaas !Hoaseb and Heidi Dean (25) yesterday appeared before Magistrate Alfred Siboleka in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court. They are charged with allegedly beating a suspect, Makarius IIkali, to death during interrogation.Iikali was one of five men arrested on charges of theft and housebreaking.The other four suspects have been released.All of them have pressed charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against the Policemen.The Policemen were not asked to plead and bail of N$1 500 was granted on condition that they do not interfere with or intimidate the State witnesses.The case was postponed to May 12 for further investigation and to gave the accused time to acquire legal representation.The Namibian has learnt that Police are expected to arrest five other Police officers implicated in the case.According to the State witnesses, the five Policemen failed to turn up for an identification parade held at Keetmanshoop on Wednesday.They are charged with allegedly beating a suspect, Makarius IIkali, to death during interrogation.Iikali was one of five men arrested on charges of theft and housebreaking.The other four suspects have been released.All of them have pressed charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against the Policemen.The Policemen were not asked to plead and bail of N$1 500 was granted on condition that they do not interfere with or intimidate the State witnesses.The case was postponed to May 12 for further investigation and to gave the accused time to acquire legal representation.The Namibian has learnt that Police are expected to arrest five other Police officers implicated in the case.According to the State witnesses, the five Policemen failed to turn up for an identification parade held at Keetmanshoop on Wednesday.