Gem theft case case postponed

THE case in which 19 Namdeb employees face charges of theft and possession of uncut diamonds has been postponed to next year.

The 19 have been divided into three groups. The first group of 11 consists of: Junias Ipumbu (36), Albinus Ndongo (49), Melkisedek Iileka (29), Johannes Lugambo (32), Hubert Heita (47), Nika Hangala (48), Petrus Kiinge (34), Cyril Aseb (25), Levi Iipumbu (29), Sevelinus Katamba (52) and Barkias Moongo (48).They were charged with the theft of an unspecified number of unpolished diamonds and released on bail of N$1 000 each.Their case was postponed to February 22 next year.In the second group are Johannes Nuuyoma (24), Manfred Mukarenge (49), Timoteus Kalyo (33) and Elieser Areab.The four were charged with the theft and possession of unpolished diamonds and were granted bail of N$2 000 each.They will hear their fate on February 20 next year – the same day on which the remaining four will also appear.The last group of four consists of Josef Hamukoto (39), Justice Iitula (39), Gerson Gaingob (34) and Don Bock (24).Each faces a charge of theft and possession of unpolished diamonds.They were released on bail of N$1 000.All three cases were postponed to give the Police more time for further investigation.Sources said the men were all from the MA1 area in Namdeb plant number three, worked on the same shift team and allegedly operated as a syndicate.All 19 suspects were suspended with full pay.The first group of 11 consists of: Junias Ipumbu (36), Albinus Ndongo (49), Melkisedek Iileka (29), Johannes Lugambo (32), Hubert Heita (47), Nika Hangala (48), Petrus Kiinge (34), Cyril Aseb (25), Levi Iipumbu (29), Sevelinus Katamba (52) and Barkias Moongo (48).They were charged with the theft of an unspecified number of unpolished diamonds and released on bail of N$1 000 each.Their case was postponed to February 22 next year.In the second group are Johannes Nuuyoma (24), Manfred Mukarenge (49), Timoteus Kalyo (33) and Elieser Areab.The four were charged with the theft and possession of unpolished diamonds and were granted bail of N$2 000 each.They will hear their fate on February 20 next year – the same day on which the remaining four will also appear.The last group of four consists of Josef Hamukoto (39), Justice Iitula (39), Gerson Gaingob (34) and Don Bock (24).Each faces a charge of theft and possession of unpolished diamonds.They were released on bail of N$1 000.All three cases were postponed to give the Police more time for further investigation.Sources said the men were all from the MA1 area in Namdeb plant number three, worked on the same shift team and allegedly operated as a syndicate.All 19 suspects were suspended with full pay.