NamDia murder-accused denied bail, to remain in custody

Magistrate Atutala Shikalepo has postponed the matter involving NamDia murder-accused Joel Angula to 19 March. Shikalepo ruled on Monday that the interests of justice require Angula to remain in custody pending the finalisation of his trial. Shikalepo delivered the ruling while handing down a decision in Angula’s bail application, which the court dismissed. Angula has been in custody since his arrest on 19 January last year in connection with his alleged involvement in the N$315 million NamDia diamond heist, an incident that resulted in the deaths of NamDia’s head of security, Francis Eiseb, and an alleged robber, Max Endjala. Angula faces seven other charges, including two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of rough and uncut diamonds, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and a charge under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) relating to disguising the unlawful origin of property.