Drought aid theft case takes new turn

A FOURTH man appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the theft of hundreds of bags of maize meal destined for the drought relief programme.

Linus Negumbo was arrested on charges of defeating the course of justice after allegedly trying to convince one of the original accused, Julius Dausab, to alter his statement to the Police. Raphael Karavora the owner of the farm where the stolen food aid was found, was also re-arrested to face the same charges as Negumbo.Karavora was earlier arrested and released on bail after being charged with theft and theft of drought aid.The two are alleged to have conspired to get Dausab to change his testimony.Dausab was the driver of the truck that offloaded 839 bags of maize on a farm near Kasava on March 19.Negumbo and Karavora were released on bail of N$500 each and the case was postponed until September 20, when the other main suspect, Martin Kudumo Mukoso, is also expected to make his next appearance.The Police earlier arrested Mukoso an official working for the Regional Emergency Management Unit at Rundu with Dausab and Karavora.Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant James Matengu said yesterday that the charges against Dausab were dropped after he allegedly stuck to his guns on his statement and blew the whistle on Negumbo and Karavora.He has now turned State witness.Addressing the media after a Swapo Party Central Committee meeting in Windhoek at the weekend, President Sam Nujoma called for a thorough investigation into cases of theft of food aid meant for the drought relief programme.”The culprits of these despicable deeds must be apprehended and be brought to book.This food is meant to assist the vulnerable members of our society to ensure that no human lives are lost due to lack of foodstuffs,” President Nujoma said.Raphael Karavora the owner of the farm where the stolen food aid was found, was also re-arrested to face the same charges as Negumbo.Karavora was earlier arrested and released on bail after being charged with theft and theft of drought aid.The two are alleged to have conspired to get Dausab to change his testimony.Dausab was the driver of the truck that offloaded 839 bags of maize on a farm near Kasava on March 19.Negumbo and Karavora were released on bail of N$500 each and the case was postponed until September 20, when the other main suspect, Martin Kudumo Mukoso, is also expected to make his next appearance.The Police earlier arrested Mukoso an official working for the Regional Emergency Management Unit at Rundu with Dausab and Karavora.Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant James Matengu said yesterday that the charges against Dausab were dropped after he allegedly stuck to his guns on his statement and blew the whistle on Negumbo and Karavora.He has now turned State witness.Addressing the media after a Swapo Party Central Committee meeting in Windhoek at the weekend, President Sam Nujoma called for a thorough investigation into cases of theft of food aid meant for the drought relief programme.”The culprits of these despicable deeds must be apprehended and be brought to book.This food is meant to assist the vulnerable members of our society to ensure that no human lives are lost due to lack of foodstuffs,” President Nujoma said.