Bail application deadlocked
The bail application hearing of a man accused of being involved in the killing of a black rhino on a game reserve near Otjiwarongo last month, ended in a deadlock in court on Friday.
The 30-year-old Eeno Anguwo was arrested at Omuthiya on 15 April after he was connected to a syndicate of poachers who allegedly shot and killed the rhino bull valued at N$800 000.
The animal's carcass was found in the game reserve with several gunshot wounds and its horns removed.
Anguwo was represented by Pieter Greyling of Jan Greyling and Associates in Oshakati.
Greyling and the prosecutor, Coleen Yisa, reached a deadlock after the State objected to the granting of bail citing the seriousness of the crime.
Yisa also told the court the State has a strong case against Anguwo and police investigations are in the early stages. There were also fears that Anguwo would interfere with the investigations if he is released on bail.
Greyling then challenged the State to substantiate its claim by providing evidence supporting its claims of a strong case against his client.
He further requested the court to grant permission for the disclosure of the docket, including allowing him to see the statements obtained from witnesses as contained in the docket.
Yisa opposed the request, saying disclosure can only be given to a defence lawyer during trial, not during the bail application hearing, as doing so would expose the identities of the State witnesses.
The two legal experts then argued the matter for nearly five hours without reaching an agreement.
Magistrate Yvette Fredericks passed a ruling in favour of the defence lawyer, but the State insisted that it would not avail the docket to Greyling.
Yisa then told court that the State is willing to launch an appeal in the High Court on the magistrate's ruling.
Anguwo was then remanded in custody at Otjiwarongo, where his two accomplices - Vemukuta Tjipurua, 49, and Kavitongo Kaukamburua Tjingee, 31 – are also being held.
Tjipurua and Tjingee were arrested on different dates and appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court on 17 April.
The two men will return to court on 18 June 2019, while Anguwo is expected to continue with his bail application once the High Court rules on Yisa's appeal.
NAMPA
The 30-year-old Eeno Anguwo was arrested at Omuthiya on 15 April after he was connected to a syndicate of poachers who allegedly shot and killed the rhino bull valued at N$800 000.
The animal's carcass was found in the game reserve with several gunshot wounds and its horns removed.
Anguwo was represented by Pieter Greyling of Jan Greyling and Associates in Oshakati.
Greyling and the prosecutor, Coleen Yisa, reached a deadlock after the State objected to the granting of bail citing the seriousness of the crime.
Yisa also told the court the State has a strong case against Anguwo and police investigations are in the early stages. There were also fears that Anguwo would interfere with the investigations if he is released on bail.
Greyling then challenged the State to substantiate its claim by providing evidence supporting its claims of a strong case against his client.
He further requested the court to grant permission for the disclosure of the docket, including allowing him to see the statements obtained from witnesses as contained in the docket.
Yisa opposed the request, saying disclosure can only be given to a defence lawyer during trial, not during the bail application hearing, as doing so would expose the identities of the State witnesses.
The two legal experts then argued the matter for nearly five hours without reaching an agreement.
Magistrate Yvette Fredericks passed a ruling in favour of the defence lawyer, but the State insisted that it would not avail the docket to Greyling.
Yisa then told court that the State is willing to launch an appeal in the High Court on the magistrate's ruling.
Anguwo was then remanded in custody at Otjiwarongo, where his two accomplices - Vemukuta Tjipurua, 49, and Kavitongo Kaukamburua Tjingee, 31 – are also being held.
Tjipurua and Tjingee were arrested on different dates and appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court on 17 April.
The two men will return to court on 18 June 2019, while Anguwo is expected to continue with his bail application once the High Court rules on Yisa's appeal.
NAMPA
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