Namdia robbery accused to hear bail ruling in two weeks

Former Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) security officer Joel Angula, who has spent the past year in custody in connection with a fatal robbery at the Namdia head office in Windhoek, is set to hear on 23 February if he will be released on bail.

Angula (46) received the date for the bail ruling from magistrate Helvi Shikalepo after defence lawyer Veiko Alexander and deputy prosecutor general, Johannes Kalipi, delivered their closing arguments on his application to be granted bail in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Angula, who is a former police officer, and a second accused, Sam Shololo (50), are charged with counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of uncut diamonds, and also two counts of attempted murder, in connection with a heist carried out at the Namdia head office on 18 January last year.

A Namdia security officer, Francis Eiseb (58), was killed when he was shot during the course of the robbery.

One of the alleged robbers, Max Endjala (43), also died at the scene, allegedly due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury.

The state is alleging that 512 parcels of diamonds, weighing 51 725 carats and valued at about N$335.6 million, were stolen during the robbery.

Kalipi informed the magistrate at the start of Angula’s bail hearing in December that 452 parcels of diamonds, weighing 47 250 carats and valued at about N$295 million, have not been recovered during the investigation of the robbery.

Angula is also charged with counts of theft and possession of uncut diamonds, involving 13 parcels of diamonds, and disguising the unlawful origin of property.

The state is alleging that 13 parcels of diamonds, valued at about N$4.8 million, were found hidden in boots at Angula’s home in Windhoek on 19 January last year.

Angula told the court in December that he is denying guilt on all of the charges. He said he was a victim in the robbery, during which he was tied up by the robbers.

Angula also testified that Endjala was his cousin and that he and Shololo are also relatives.

Alexander argued that the state does not have a strong case against Angula, especially on the charges of murder and robbery that he is facing, and proposed to the magistrate that he should be granted bail in an amount of N$20 000.

Kalipi argued that Angula is likely to abscond or interfere with witnesses and evidence in the case if released on bail.

He also argued that it would not be in the interest of the public or of the administration of justice for Angula to be released on bail.

Angula was arrested on 19 January last year

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