Ministry faces civil suit

A MAN who claims he was wrongfully imprisoned on suspicion of stealing gambling tokens worth N$43 527 from his former employer is suing the Ministry of Safety and Security for N$27 400.

Munbashi Aron (40) is claiming damages of N$25 000 for unlawful arrest and detention and a further N$2 400 for loss of income. Aron, a former security guard a gambling house known as Palace, was arrested on May 24 2000 on charges of fraud and theft.The charges against him were withdrawn by the gambling house owner, Hennie Blaauw, on August 21 2000.During a Magistrate’s Court hearing of the civil suit yesterday, Police Warrant Officer Japie Kruger told Magistrate Alfred Siboleka that he had “reasonable suspicion” to arrest Aron at the time.But Aron’s lawyers argued that Kruger, during his cross-examination, failed to prove to the court that he had solid grounds on which to base his suspicion.The defence counsel will continue with its cross-examination of witnesses today.Gerrit van den Heever of Lentin and Bothma legal practitioners is representing Aron.Principal Legal Officer Charlene Potgieter of the Government Attorneys’ office is representing the Ministry of Safety and Security.Aron, a former security guard a gambling house known as Palace, was arrested on May 24 2000 on charges of fraud and theft.The charges against him were withdrawn by the gambling house owner, Hennie Blaauw, on August 21 2000.During a Magistrate’s Court hearing of the civil suit yesterday, Police Warrant Officer Japie Kruger told Magistrate Alfred Siboleka that he had “reasonable suspicion” to arrest Aron at the time.But Aron’s lawyers argued that Kruger, during his cross-examination, failed to prove to the court that he had solid grounds on which to base his suspicion.The defence counsel will continue with its cross-examination of witnesses today.Gerrit van den Heever of Lentin and Bothma legal practitioners is representing Aron.Principal Legal Officer Charlene Potgieter of the Government Attorneys’ office is representing the Ministry of Safety and Security.