Cops fail to pitch for ID parade

SEVEN of the nine members of the Police Serious Crime and Special Branch units at Keetmanshoop failed to turn up at an identification parade held at Keetmanshoop Prison yesterday.

No reasons were given for their absence. The Policemen are being investigated in connection with the death in custody of a suspect.The deceased, Makarius Iikali, was one of five men arrested on charges of theft and housebreaking.Another suspect, Richard Isaak, said the seven Policemen were not present at the line-up to be identified by the five suspects.”When we noted to the investigation officers in charge of the line-up about the officers’ absence, we were informed that the law will now take its course,” Isaak told The Namibian.The five suspects have been released.All of them have pressed charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against the Policemen.One of the two Policemen who did turn up, accompanied by his legal representative, claimed the identification had not been done procedurally, referring to the absence of the other seven.”My lawyer will sort out this in court,” he said.The Policemen are being investigated in connection with the death in custody of a suspect.The deceased, Makarius Iikali, was one of five men arrested on charges of theft and housebreaking.Another suspect, Richard Isaak, said the seven Policemen were not present at the line-up to be identified by the five suspects.”When we noted to the investigation officers in charge of the line-up about the officers’ absence, we were informed that the law will now take its course,” Isaak told The Namibian.The five suspects have been released.All of them have pressed charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against the Policemen.One of the two Policemen who did turn up, accompanied by his legal representative, claimed the identification had not been done procedurally, referring to the absence of the other seven.”My lawyer will sort out this in court,” he said.