Cop killers found guilty

FOUR of the six men charged with a May 2002 armed robbery in which a member of the Namibian Police’s VIP Protection Unit was shot dead at a night-club in Windhoek were found guilty in the High Court yesterday.

The four men found guilty by High Court Judge Mavis Gibson of the murder of the VIP Protection Unit’s Sergeant Andreas John Nghatanga (35) are Ombili informal settlement residents Andapo Kristof Shigwedha (28), Elia Avelinu (29), Reinhold Nambahu (24), and Elifas Ndalusha (25). Nghatanga had been a member of the former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan), and also a former leading member of the Swapo Party’s well-known Ndilimani music group.He died from a gunshot wound that he suffered at the People’s Inn Gambling House and Bar in Windhoek’s Okuryangava residential area in the early hours of Sunday, May 19 2002.The four men were each found guilty on a charge of murder with a direct intent to kill, as well as counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and attempting to defeat the course of justice.Two men who had been on trial with them, Likius Shiikundeni Shafodino (24) and the 32-year-old Jason Miipale Nangombe were both acquitted.Having been in police custody awaiting the finalisation of their trial for more than three years, the duo left the High Court in Windhoek as free men again yesterday afternoon.Handing down the judgement, Judge Gibson said that she was satisfied that the State – which was represented by Rolanda Gertze during the trial – had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the four convicted persons acted together in committing the offences, which also claimed the life of Nghatanga.The four convicted persons return to the High Court on Tuesday next week for evidence and arguments before sentencing to be heard.The four remain in police custody.- NampaNghatanga had been a member of the former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan), and also a former leading member of the Swapo Party’s well-known Ndilimani music group.He died from a gunshot wound that he suffered at the People’s Inn Gambling House and Bar in Windhoek’s Okuryangava residential area in the early hours of Sunday, May 19 2002.The four men were each found guilty on a charge of murder with a direct intent to kill, as well as counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and attempting to defeat the course of justice.Two men who had been on trial with them, Likius Shiikundeni Shafodino (24) and the 32-year-old Jason Miipale Nangombe were both acquitted.Having been in police custody awaiting the finalisation of their trial for more than three years, the duo left the High Court in Windhoek as free men again yesterday afternoon.Handing down the judgement, Judge Gibson said that she was satisfied that the State – which was represented by Rolanda Gertze during the trial – had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the four convicted persons acted together in committing the offences, which also claimed the life of Nghatanga.The four convicted persons return to the High Court on Tuesday next week for evidence and arguments before sentencing to be heard.The four remain in police custody.- Nampa