Nguvauva trio out on bail

THE three members of the Nguvauva royal house who were arrested and charged on three counts of poaching on Friday have been released on bail.

Charles Nguvauva, who is the eldest son of acting Ovambanderu Chief Peter Nguvauva, and his sons were arrested for allegedly poaching five animals on private farmland in the Steinhausen constituency of the Omaheke Region.
Three of the hunted animals – two hartebeest and one duiker – were protected species. The other two were a gemsbok and a kudu.
The three charges on which Charles Nguvauva – a driver in the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture – and his sons were arrested include illegal hunting of huntable game, illegal hunting of protected species, and the corrupt use of a Government vehicle for private purposes.
According to the Regional Police Commander for the Omaheke Region, Annanias Muzile, the three were also in contravention of the firearms act, for the use of a weapon larger than a permissible calibre, in the poaching of the animals. The weapon, a .30-06 hunting rifle, was confiscated by the Police at the time of the arrest.
When they made their first appearance in the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Charles Nguvauva (49) and his son Mangondo Nguvauva (22) were granted bail of N$2 000 each, while the third accused, 17-year-old Kahiurama Nguvauva, was released into the custody of his mother.
The two older Nguvauvas paid bail and were released on Monday.
Magistrate Hellen Boluwade postponed the case to March 9, at which time their plea will be heard.
The arrest of the three Nguvauvas adds to a long list of controversies that the royal family has been embroiled in.
Since the death of the Paramount Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II in January last year, the Mbanderu community has been split over who should assume the chieftancy.
– nangula@namibian.com.na