NDF Corporal accused of violence gets bail

A Namibian Defence Force Corporal accused of assaulting nineteen recruits at the Osona Military Base in April has been released on bail.

Corporal Charles Ngeama, a Military Police officer, had been in custody since then for allegedly pointing a Makarov pistol at recruits, firing shots in the air and beating some of them with his metal belt. Making his second appearance in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court last Monday, Ngeama was informed that he would be expected to plead to charges of assault and pointing a firearm when he next appears on August 23.Four recruits had to receive medical attention for injuries sustained after Ngeama went on a rampage at the base on a Saturday evening when he returned from an outing to Okahandja.According to sources, the young soldiers were enjoying their free time sitting outside and studying when Ngeama began kicking and hitting them.When they tried to resist his attacks, Ngeama allegedly fired three shots in the air with a pistol that does not belong to the NDF.He was only arrested by the Okahandja Police the next day when some of the recruits had to receive medical attention at a State health facility and first had to file a Police report.According to the Police, Ngeama had taken the pistol from another military police officer who he met in town that afternoon for safe-keeping.When he returned to the base, he began threatening and wielding the weapon at the new soldiers.Sources say he was supposedly on duty at the base on the day he went to Okahandja.The Military Police is charged with enforcing discipline among soldiers.Making his second appearance in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court last Monday, Ngeama was informed that he would be expected to plead to charges of assault and pointing a firearm when he next appears on August 23.Four recruits had to receive medical attention for injuries sustained after Ngeama went on a rampage at the base on a Saturday evening when he returned from an outing to Okahandja.According to sources, the young soldiers were enjoying their free time sitting outside and studying when Ngeama began kicking and hitting them.When they tried to resist his attacks, Ngeama allegedly fired three shots in the air with a pistol that does not belong to the NDF.He was only arrested by the Okahandja Police the next day when some of the recruits had to receive medical attention at a State health facility and first had to file a Police report.According to the Police, Ngeama had taken the pistol from another military police officer who he met in town that afternoon for safe-keeping.When he returned to the base, he began threatening and wielding the weapon at the new soldiers.Sources say he was supposedly on duty at the base on the day he went to Okahandja.The Military Police is charged with enforcing discipline among soldiers.