Katutura armed robbers denied bail

Two men arrested during an armed robbery at Mama Fresh Store in the Nubuamis area of Katutura last week were denied bail by the Katutura Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Leonard Mwashekele, 38, and Joseph Phillipus, 24, were remanded in custody by Magistrate Elina Nandago. The two men are charged with robbery and illegal possession of a firearm. The matter was postponed to March 10, 2014 to enable Mwashekele to obtain a legal aid lawyer. Phillipus indicated to the court that he would conduct his own defence. The two allegedly pointed a firearm at a shop attendant, identified only as Patricia, before attempting to get away with three cellphones, a laptop computer and a large amount of cellphone recharge vouchers. The value of the stolen items is not known. On the charge of illegal possession of a firearm, Mwashekele and Phillipus allegedly assaulted Felix Ndakomani by shooting at him. Last week the Namibian Police reported that Mwashekele and Phillipus were arrested during a joint operation with the Windhoek City Police. Mwashekele and Phillipus were in the company of two other unidentified men. According to Nampol’s Deputy Commissioner Sylvanus Nghishidimbwa, the police were tipped off and upon arrival at the crime scene; four men were found running out of the store. The suspects and the police then exchanged fire for close to two minutes, during which time one of the suspects was shot in the head and another was shot in the leg. City Police Chief Abraham Kanime told Namibian Sun that the suspects are notorious criminals. WINDHOEK FAITH SANKWASA