THREE men who were last week caught filmed on the live video communication platform Zoom attacking and robbing an elderly couple at Swakopmund, on Wednesday denied guilt in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court.
Andreas Kaushi (36), Ivula Stephanus (25) and Dorien Iyambo (21) were escorted from their holding cells at Walvis Bay to appear before magistrate Nelao Brown on charges of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery, and on two counts of kidnapping.
It is expected that a charge of attempted murder will be added once one of the victims, Riaan Booysen (64), is fit to make a statement.
Booysen and his partner, Elizabeth Rossouw (65), were attacked in their house at around 08h00 on Tuesday.
Rossouw was participating in a live online training session over Zoom when the robbers entered her and Booysen’s house.
The attackers hit Booysen with a panga, beat him, broke off a table leg and hit him in the face.
At the same time Rossouw was held down, while they demanded cash and the keys to the safe.
The incident was witnessed by other participants in the training session, who alerted the police and the neighbourhood watch.
This resulted in the prompt arrest of the three men.
When their charges were read to them in court, all three denied guilt.
Kaushi said “there is a reason” why he denied guilt.
“I’m not asking you to explain anything to me, except to say whether you are guilty or not,” Brown said.
State prosecutor Johannes Shangadi opposed bail, saying there has been a spate of attacks on senior citizens at the coastal town of late, and that it would not be in the interest of the public, nor the administration of justice, if bail was granted.
He said the charges were of a very serious nature, especially as they involve defenceless senior citizens who had been severely injured.
According to relatives, Booyson may lose an eye, and has undergone several hours of surgery to treat his wounds.
Brown said the three accused have the option to apply for legal assistance and bail.
All three said they would defend themselves, and were sent back to the police holding cells to wait for their next appearance on 20 September.
The police are still investigating several incidents of violent robberies at the coast, some of which have left elderly victims dead.
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