A young man who stole a car and was promptly involved in an accident in which the vehicle was damaged beyond repair is now prohibited from obtaining a driving licence for the next 20 years, after being sentenced in the Windhoek Regional Court on Friday.
Magistrate Linus Samunzala sentenced Charles Kandorozu (20) to 10 years’ imprisonment on a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. The magistrate also ordered that Kandorozu be disqualified from obtaining a driving licence or learner’s driving licence for 20 years.
Kandorozu was found guilty of stealing a car in the Eros area of Windhoek on 3 April 2023.
After stealing the car, Kandorozu – then 18 years old – set off with the vehicle on the road to Okahandja.
His journey ended in misfortune when he overturned the car near Okahandja.
The car was written off after it was damaged beyond repair in the accident. The vehicle had an insurance value of N$42 000, the court was informed during Kandorozu’s trial. Samunzala noted during the sentencing that Namibia’s Motor Vehicle Theft Act prescribes a minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for a first-time offender convicted of the theft of a motor vehicle, without the option of a fine, unless there are substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a lighter sentence. The prescribed minimum sentence is an indication of the seriousness of the crime of motor vehicle theft, the magistrate said. Considering Kandorozu’s personal circumstances, it is his view that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence, Samunzala said. He said the court was informed that Kandorozu was employed by the owner of the car at the time the theft was committed.
According to the owner, the car’s keys were taken from another vehicle belonging to him before it was stolen.
“The accused was in a position of trust with the complainant, but betrayed same,” Samunzala said.
He added: “It is also apparent that the accused entered the world of crime at the deep end and thus cannot escape punishment or hide behind his youthfulness.” Kandorozu was arrested after he informed his mother of the accident, and she in turn contacted his employer to inform him of the incident.
Kandorozu was released on bail in an amount of N$1 000 at the start of June 2023.
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