No bail for cop who shot dead taxi driver

A WINDHOEK Magistrate ruled yesterday that it would not be in the public interest, nor that of the accused, to grant bail to Police Sergeant Fillipus Hafeni Kamati, who is accused of having murdered a taxi driver in the capital a week ago.

Kamati’s application to be released on bail was turned down by Magistrate Gladys Vries in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura. Kamati (40), who is attached to the Police’s Motor Vehicle Theft Unit, was further told that he would have to remain in custody until his case returns to court on August 31.Kamati is facing a charge of murder.He allegedly shot a taxi driver, Elifas Nankudi (31), in the head in full view of early-morning commuters at the entrance gate to the Ramatex textile factory in Windhoek last Wednesday.It is claimed that the shooting, apparently fuelled by road rage, followed a confrontation between Nankudi and Kamati and another taxi driver, after Nankudi’s taxi had blocked the way of Kamati and other drivers in front of the factory .In her ruling on Kamati’s bail application Magistrate Vries stated that the evidence before the court did not enable it to make a finding as to whether Kamati was likely to abscond when released on bail, or whether he was likely to interfere with State witnesses or the Police’s investigation of the fatal shooting.She added that she was taking into account that the prosecution claimed that there was a strong case against Kamati because there were eye witnesses to the shooting.Also, she noted, the investigating officer told the court that he feared for Kamati’s safety should the suspect be released on bail, since Nankudi’s relatives were particularly upset over his killing.Magistrate Vries ruled the court felt it would not be in the interest of society, and neither would it be in Kamati’s own best interest, to release him on bail at this stage, because feelings were running high.Kamati was represented by defence lawyer Sisa Namandje.Public Prosecutor Ingrid Husselmann appeared for the State.Kamati (40), who is attached to the Police’s Motor Vehicle Theft Unit, was further told that he would have to remain in custody until his case returns to court on August 31.Kamati is facing a charge of murder.He allegedly shot a taxi driver, Elifas Nankudi (31), in the head in full view of early-morning commuters at the entrance gate to the Ramatex textile factory in Windhoek last Wednesday.It is claimed that the shooting, apparently fuelled by road rage, followed a confrontation between Nankudi and Kamati and another taxi driver, after Nankudi’s taxi had blocked the way of Kamati and other drivers in front of the factory .In her ruling on Kamati’s bail application Magistrate Vries stated that the evidence before the court did not enable it to make a finding as to whether Kamati was likely to abscond when released on bail, or whether he was likely to interfere with State witnesses or the Police’s investigation of the fatal shooting.She added that she was taking into account that the prosecution claimed that there was a strong case against Kamati because there were eye witnesses to the shooting.Also, she noted, the investigating officer told the court that he feared for Kamati’s safety should the suspect be released on bail, since Nankudi’s relatives were particularly upset over his killing.Magistrate Vries ruled the court felt it would not be in the interest of society, and neither would it be in Kamati’s own best interest, to release him on bail at this stage, because feelings were running high.Kamati was represented by defence lawyer Sisa Namandje.Public Prosecutor Ingrid Husselmann appeared for the State.