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Suspect in N$350-million Namdia diamond robbery faces court charges

Joel Angula

A suspect arrested in connection with an armed robbery at the Windhoek office of Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) on Saturday made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

In the robbery charge against Joel Angula (45) and a second accused, Sam Shololo (45), the state is alleging that diamonds valued at N$350 million were stolen during the heist.

Angula appeared before magistrate Olga Muharukua on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of uncut diamonds and two counts of attempted murder.

The police arrested Angula on Sunday, after Namdia security officer Francis Eiseb (57) was killed during an armed robbery at the company’s office in Klein Windhoek on Saturday.

The case has been postponed to 23 May for further investigations to be carried out.

Public prosecutor Rowan van Wyk objected to the granting of bail to both Angula and Shololo, citing the seriousness of the charges, a fear that they would interfere with the investigation of the case or with witnesses, and that it would not be in the public interest or the interest of the administration of justice to release them on bail.

Angula will be held in custody at Windhoek Correctional Facility.

Defence lawyer Rejoice Sakeus informed the magistrate that Angula will apply to be granted bail “in due course”.

Van Wyk also informed the court that Shololo is hospitalised and will make his first court appearance once he has recovered.
The magistrate ordered that Shololo should also remain in custody.

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