Gang murder accused acquitted

Seven men accused of the gang murder of a Swakopmund man, the attempted murder of another and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm on 31 October 2012, were acquitted on all charges in the Swakopmund Regional Court last week.

Magistrate Gaynor Paulton found that the State failed to present any evidence to prove the guilt of the accused. The seven – George Bloodstaan, Patrick Snewe, Brendan Brenden Nanuseb, Renold Snewe, Censley Nanuseb, Bonny Katamila and Julius Lenga – were accused of murdering Thadeus Makambe in Mondesa by beating him with bricks, rocks and other unknown objects on the head and other parts of the body, causing him to die.

They were also accused of attempting to murder Werner

Jambeka during the same night by beating him with a brick and a plank and by stabbing him with a knife.

It was further alleged by the State that the mob during the same evening assaulted Rafael Fritz with planks with the intent to seriously injure him.

The legal aid lawyers of the accused applied for a 174 discharge of the accused after the State presented its case, saying no evidence was produced by prosecution to prove it was their clients that carried out the attacks.

Poulton agreed and dismissed all charges against the accused for lack of evidence. Their bail money of N$2 000 each was refunded to them.

The prosecution was represented by Tresia Hafeni and the accused by Paulus Shilongo, Albert Titus, and Tuna Nhinda.