Suspects linked to series of violent crimes denied bail in attempted robbery case

Five men were denied bail on Thursday in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court in connection with an alleged attempted robbery foiled by police last week. The accused – Elias ‘Small Boy’ Haifete, Lukas ‘Big Show’ Simon, Pinias ‘Bokie’ Haiduwa, Amon Haikali and Lotto Haindongo – face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances after allegedly attempting to rob Big Deal Super Liquor Cash & Carry in Lafrenz early last week. They were reportedly armed during the incident and caught in the act.“How can you say we were attempting a robbery if, for instance, all we did was drive from Khomasdal to Katutura?” one of the accused asked magistrate Nanghali Aihuki shortly before bail was denied on the grounds of the seriousness of the charges and the risk of absconding.Aihuki explained that the first appearance was limited to informing the accused of the charges against them, confirming their identities, determine legal representation and deciding on bail or custody arrangements.Facing multiple charges Several of the suspects in this case were reportedly out on bail for previous serious offences. In a separate matter, Haifete is facing charges in connection with the murder of Fiina Nghifikwa, who was shot and killed in Windhoek on 22 July. It is alleged that Nghifikwa, who was reportedly lured to view a flat as part of a rental scam, was in the process of being robbed when she was killed.Haifete also appeared in court on a new charge of attempted housebreaking with intent to rob, which he denied, questioning how the State intended to prove such intent.Another accused, Haikali, faces a charge linked to the robbery of Patrick Mbadi at gunpoint of N$560 000. Haikali informed the court that he would represent himself. The State strongly opposed bail, citing the use of a firearm and the serious nature of the offence.Prosecutors have linked all five accused to a broader pattern of violent crimes, including the robbery of the Namcor Service Station in Soweto in April, a cash-in-transit heist at Choppies in Katutura, a separate Namcor robbery in Khomasdal in July, and an incident at the Lafrenz Total Service Station, also in July.Tense moment in court Tensions flared during Thursday’s court appearance as some of the accused reacted aggressively to the presence of the media.Lukas Simon, known as ‘Big Show’ and currently out on bail in another case where he has been implicated in the 2023 Patrick Haumunyela murder case, attempted to intimidate a journalist photographing him. Another accused commented that he would prefer to wear a mask to avoid being identified, amid allegations that the group is wanted in connection with additional murder cases.The matter was postponed to 14 October for further investigations and legal aid applications. All five remain in custody at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

Suspects linked to series of violent crimes denied bail in attempted robbery case

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-04

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Suspects linked to series of violent crimes denied bail in attempted robbery case

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-04

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