Senior citizen remains in custody for keeping reptiles

Jürgen Michael Riegel (68), a German national with permanent residency in Namibia, will remain in custody until his formal bail hearing on 11 August.

He was arrested in Swakopmund last week for allegedly keeping a monitor lizard (likkewaan) and a leopard tortoise at his residence without the required permits.

Riegel faces charges under the Nature Conservation Ordinance for possessing protected wildlife species without authorisation and for failing to give a satisfactory account of their possession.

According to police, the monitor lizard was found hidden in a wardrobe, while the tortoise was discovered in the yard.

The animals have since been confiscated and placed in a safe location.

Authorities estimate the lizard’s value at N$20,000 and the tortoise at N$5,000.

Riegel made his first appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court last Friday, where bail was denied.

The state argued that he may be inclined to commit similar offences and could pose a flight risk.

He returned to court on Wednesday (23 July) for a plea but opted to pursue a formal bail application, now scheduled for 11 August.

Riegel is represented by Alfred Ellis of Ellis Attorneys in Swakopmund.