Lüderitz residents oppose bail for alleged drug dealers
More than 500 Lüderitz residents signed a petition opposing bail for two men arrested in connection with possession of drugs valued at N$168 000.
Denzel Carelse (30) and Matias Andjaba (27) appeared in the Lüderitz District Court last week to apply for bail in connection with drug charges related to possession of mandrax and cannabis.
State prosecutor Tuna Ipinge opposed bail and magistrate Whitney Chaka postponed the matter to 23 June for the continuation of the bail application, ordering that the accused remain in custody.
Before the bail application was heard, Nicky Entin, vice chairperson of the Lüderitz Neighbourhood Watch, submitted a public petition opposing bail.
The document, handed to the state prosecutor, was signed by more than 500 community members.
Ipinge welcomed the move and encouraged the community to stand up for their beliefs.
Postal bust
During his testimony, investigating officer Detective Denise Nangue told the court that Andjaba collected a parcel from NamPost in Lüderitz on 14 May.
"We approached him while he was busy picking up the parcel. He told us that he was sent to collect it and said that he had no clue about its contents."
According to Nangue, Andjaba produced his phone and showed officers a message from a 'Mr D' containing a NamPost waybill and instructions to collect the parcel.
"He confirmed that he knew the sender and agreed to take us to this person who resides at a house in the NHE area. When we arrived, we searched the suspect (Carelse) and found N$6 800 in cash on him, which was confiscated."
The police instructed him to accompany them to the police station, where the parcel was opened in his presence.
It contained two parcels of cannabis and 490 mandrax tablets. The items were counted and both men were arrested.
Fed-up community
Nangue was adamant that Carelse knew about the parcel. "Andjaba showed us the receipt, which led us to him," she stressed.
Arguing against bail, Nangue told the court that Carelse had two pending cases of a serious nature and was already out on bail.
"How many times must the State be lenient towards him? The crime committed is serious and suggests involvement in organised crime. Intelligence-driven information led to the arrests and the evidence links all the accused to the case."
Nangue added: "The NamPost officials are living in fear and if I could put the witnesses under protection, I would have gladly done so. The investigation is at a critical stage and if released, the accused could interfere with it."
She underlined to the court that drugs are a "contributing factor to the high crime rate experienced in Lüderitz, with drugs being a common factor in most of the crimes committed."
Moreover, the detective said "the drug pandemic is of great concern and the community is tired of this. I am their voice and think it would be for his (Carelse's) own protection that he stays in custody."
Not a flight risk
Carelse’s legal representative, Martino Olivier, argued that his client had no knowledge of the contents of the package and argued that the State is trying to keep his client behind bars without valid reasons.
"The items were brought to my client, who at no point made any attempt to run away. For all I know, it could be Grand-pa powder or Panado pills because no scientific report is available yet. My client will plead not guilty and will defend himself."
He also pointed out that when the accused appeared on 16 May, Andjaba pleaded guilty while his client distanced himself from the case.
"My client is not a flight risk and is being used as a sacrificial lamb. He has no previous convictions.
The lawyer added that his client's previous cases "have no relation to this one; therefore, he is a suitable candidate for bail. He owns a Bipa-registered business that is now facing losses and also has properties."
Moreover, he said Carelse owns seven taxis and "intended to buy fish with the money you confiscated from him."
Olivier also expressed his frustration regarding the delays experienced in the bail application proceedings.
Denzel Carelse (30) and Matias Andjaba (27) appeared in the Lüderitz District Court last week to apply for bail in connection with drug charges related to possession of mandrax and cannabis.
State prosecutor Tuna Ipinge opposed bail and magistrate Whitney Chaka postponed the matter to 23 June for the continuation of the bail application, ordering that the accused remain in custody.
Before the bail application was heard, Nicky Entin, vice chairperson of the Lüderitz Neighbourhood Watch, submitted a public petition opposing bail.
The document, handed to the state prosecutor, was signed by more than 500 community members.
Ipinge welcomed the move and encouraged the community to stand up for their beliefs.
Postal bust
During his testimony, investigating officer Detective Denise Nangue told the court that Andjaba collected a parcel from NamPost in Lüderitz on 14 May.
"We approached him while he was busy picking up the parcel. He told us that he was sent to collect it and said that he had no clue about its contents."
According to Nangue, Andjaba produced his phone and showed officers a message from a 'Mr D' containing a NamPost waybill and instructions to collect the parcel.
"He confirmed that he knew the sender and agreed to take us to this person who resides at a house in the NHE area. When we arrived, we searched the suspect (Carelse) and found N$6 800 in cash on him, which was confiscated."
The police instructed him to accompany them to the police station, where the parcel was opened in his presence.
It contained two parcels of cannabis and 490 mandrax tablets. The items were counted and both men were arrested.
Fed-up community
Nangue was adamant that Carelse knew about the parcel. "Andjaba showed us the receipt, which led us to him," she stressed.
Arguing against bail, Nangue told the court that Carelse had two pending cases of a serious nature and was already out on bail.
"How many times must the State be lenient towards him? The crime committed is serious and suggests involvement in organised crime. Intelligence-driven information led to the arrests and the evidence links all the accused to the case."
Nangue added: "The NamPost officials are living in fear and if I could put the witnesses under protection, I would have gladly done so. The investigation is at a critical stage and if released, the accused could interfere with it."
She underlined to the court that drugs are a "contributing factor to the high crime rate experienced in Lüderitz, with drugs being a common factor in most of the crimes committed."
Moreover, the detective said "the drug pandemic is of great concern and the community is tired of this. I am their voice and think it would be for his (Carelse's) own protection that he stays in custody."
Not a flight risk
Carelse’s legal representative, Martino Olivier, argued that his client had no knowledge of the contents of the package and argued that the State is trying to keep his client behind bars without valid reasons.
"The items were brought to my client, who at no point made any attempt to run away. For all I know, it could be Grand-pa powder or Panado pills because no scientific report is available yet. My client will plead not guilty and will defend himself."
He also pointed out that when the accused appeared on 16 May, Andjaba pleaded guilty while his client distanced himself from the case.
"My client is not a flight risk and is being used as a sacrificial lamb. He has no previous convictions.
The lawyer added that his client's previous cases "have no relation to this one; therefore, he is a suitable candidate for bail. He owns a Bipa-registered business that is now facing losses and also has properties."
Moreover, he said Carelse owns seven taxis and "intended to buy fish with the money you confiscated from him."
Olivier also expressed his frustration regarding the delays experienced in the bail application proceedings.
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