No bail for beach murder suspects

THE three suspects in the murder case of a Swakopmund resident who was gunned down on the beach on Friday were not granted bail yesterday.

Naftalie Kondja (25), also known as Katjiru Kandonganero, Matti Kamati (35) and Temus Shivolo (31), appeared briefly before Magistrate Gibson Imbili on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft out of a vehicle. Kondja said he would require legal aid, while the other two said they had their own lawyer.The three will remain in custody until September 16 for their second appearance.The murder case has sparked a public outcry at the resort town with about 500 residents taking part in a protest march earlier yesterday.Many of the protesters packed into the courtroom.People sat in the aisles, while the passages outside the courtroom were also filled with people who wanted to get a look at the suspects.The large crowd was surprisingly quiet when the three suspects were led into court.A large crowd outside the court also remained silent when the three suspects were led across the street to the Police station after their appearance.With the Magistrate only entering court about 20 minutes after the three accused, Kamati looked at the crowd in defiance with his arms folded.Dressed in a black polo neck sweater, stylish brown pants, shiny brown leather shoes, and a one golden ring on his finger, he looked very self-assured.People whispered that he was well known all over town.His trademark is his flashy style consisting of expensive clothes and several rings on his fingers and gold chains around his neck.Kondja was led to court handcuffed – he is accused of shooting Alexandra Mooren (44) on the beach near the jetty with a revolver stolen from a vehicle the previous day.He appeared nervous and dishevelled, wearing a dirty looking off-white sweater.According to an eyewitness, Kondja allegedly grabbed Mooren’s handbag after he shot her.He allegedly handed the bag to Kamati at some stage and Kamati got in a taxi allegedly driven by Shivolo.According to Chief Inspector Bernhard !Uirab, the handbag was found at the Total service station at the town.The bag contained only a coffee bottle, house keys and some cosmetics.The house keys were picked up by a member of public who handed them to the Police.Kondja was arrested within an hour of the incident behind the Shoprite complex, Kamati was found before lunch in Mondesa and the taxi driver was arrested later the same afternoon.The Police received praise for their swift action at a meeting called by the Erongo Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma for the business community yesterday morning.Anton von Wietersheim, chairperson of the Swakopmund branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) said people should stop complaining about the Police not doing their job by arriving late at the scene of the crime.”I call on the business community to rather do something positive and assist the Police where they can,” he said.* Inspector !Uirab told The Namibian yesterday it was unlawful to leave a weapon in a vehicle.He said the Arms and Ammunition Act stipulated that a weapon should be kept in safe keeping at all times.”A person could be charged for being careless with a weapon,” he warned.The murder weapon in the Mooren case was stolen from a vehicle at Swakopmund on Thursday.The owner of the gun reported the theft to the Police.Uirab said the case was being investigated.Kondja said he would require legal aid, while the other two said they had their own lawyer.The three will remain in custody until September 16 for their second appearance.The murder case has sparked a public outcry at the resort town with about 500 residents taking part in a protest march earlier yesterday.Many of the protesters packed into the courtroom.People sat in the aisles, while the passages outside the courtroom were also filled with people who wanted to get a look at the suspects.The large crowd was surprisingly quiet when the three suspects were led into court.A large crowd outside the court also remained silent when the three suspects were led across the street to the Police station after their appearance.With the Magistrate only entering court about 20 minutes after the three accused, Kamati looked at the crowd in defiance with his arms folded.Dressed in a black polo neck sweater, stylish brown pants, shiny brown leather shoes, and a one golden ring on his finger, he looked very self-assured.People whispered that he was well known all over town.His trademark is his flashy style consisting of expensive clothes and several rings on his fingers and gold chains around his neck.Kondja was led to court handcuffed – he is accused of shooting Alexandra Mooren (44) on the beach near the jetty with a revolver stolen from a vehicle the previous day.He appeared nervous and dishevelled, wearing a dirty looking off-white sweater.According to an eyewitness, Kondja allegedly grabbed Mooren’s handbag after he shot her.He allegedly handed the bag to Kamati at some stage and Kamati got in a taxi allegedly driven by Shivolo.According to Chief Inspector Bernhard !Uirab, the handbag was found at the Total service station at the town.The bag contained only a coffee bottle, house keys and some cosmetics.The house keys were picked up by a member of public who handed them to the Police.Kondja was arrested within an hour of the incident behind the Shoprite complex, Kamati was found before lunch in Mondesa and the taxi driver was arrested later the same afternoon.The Police received praise for their swift action at a meeting called by the Erongo Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma for the business community yesterday morning.Anton von Wietersheim, chairperson of the Swakopmund branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) said people should stop complaining about the Police not doing their job by arriving late at the scene of the crime.”I call on the business community to rather do something positive and assist the Police where they can,” he said.* Inspector !Uirab told The Namibian yesterday it was unlawful to leave a weapon in a vehicle.He said the Arms and Ammunition Act stipulated that a weapon should be kept in safe keeping at all times.”A person could be charged for being careless with a weapon,” he warned.The murder weapon in the Mooren case was stolen from a vehicle at Swakopmund on Thursday.The owner of the gun reported the theft to the Police.Uirab said the case was being investigated.