Charges against Naholo withdrawn

A CHARGE of attempted murder against well-known businessman Festus Naholo has been withdrawn after clan elders approached the plaintiff, Swapo Ndume, to drop the charges, Ndume said yesterday.

Naholo made a brief appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court earlier this month with another co-accused, but they were not asked to plead. The matter was postponed for further investigation.But Ndume said he had since withdrawn the charges against Naholo after he was pressurised by his clan elders to drop the matter.”I was asked by the elders to let the matter go.They do not really understand, but I cannot go against the elders in my clan,” Ndume told The Namibian.Naholo was charged with threatening Ndume’s life after a fall-out over a floundering mining exploration company that the two men were involved in.Ndume said a dispute arose after Naholo allegedly took money invested in Birch Investments, which is involved in diamond and precious stones exploration, for his own use.The funds, which Ndume said amounted to more than N$1 million, were invested by unknown foreign companies in the venture.Naholo could not immediately be reached for comment.* John Grobler is a freelance journalist; 081 240 1587The matter was postponed for further investigation.But Ndume said he had since withdrawn the charges against Naholo after he was pressurised by his clan elders to drop the matter.”I was asked by the elders to let the matter go.They do not really understand, but I cannot go against the elders in my clan,” Ndume told The Namibian.Naholo was charged with threatening Ndume’s life after a fall-out over a floundering mining exploration company that the two men were involved in.Ndume said a dispute arose after Naholo allegedly took money invested in Birch Investments, which is involved in diamond and precious stones exploration, for his own use.The funds, which Ndume said amounted to more than N$1 million, were invested by unknown foreign companies in the venture.Naholo could not immediately be reached for comment. * John Grobler is a freelance journalist; 081 240 1587