Six stocktheft accused out on bail
OTJIWARONGO – Six men accused in an alleged stock-theft incident at Hochfeld in the Okahandja district last month, are out on bail with conditions not to interfere with State witnesses.
According to the charge-sheet seen by Nampa on Friday, the accused were all released on 12 May 2022 during a bail application hearing which took place in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court.
The first accused, Albert Tjihero, was granted bail of N$5 000, while his son Kevin Tjihero and four farmworkers – Joel Katjivi, Ruben Ndatowela, Katunohange Karitjindua and Jeremia Helao - each paid N$3 000.
It is alleged that the six men were found transporting four stolen calves in a vehicle on 29 April this year in the Hochfeld area, where they were arrested.
They had engaged the services of two private lawyers during the bail hearing.
Magistrate Selma Nakwaya presided over the matter, while the State was represented by Veruka Njembo.
The court had instructed the six to return for plea and trial on 12, 13
and 14 December 2022 in the same Okahandja Magistrate’s Court.
Namibian Police Force (NamPol) crime investigations’ coordinator in the Otjozondjupa Region, deputy commissioner Naukalemo Andreas, told Nampa at the time of their arrest that the four calves were allegedly stolen from Farm Okorusengo, and were valued at N$52 000.
Andreas noted that Okorusengo belongs to Albert Tjihero, but is being rented out to another commercial farmer, who is the complainant in the case now.
“The six were arrested at about 19h00 that Friday night while en route to the Dankbar auction pens,” she explained.
The calves have been handed back to the rightful owner.
The vehicle and trailer which loaded the calves are still in police custody at Okahandja.
Police investigations continue.