Man in court over deadly truck hijacking

WINDHOEKFAITH SANKWASA

Simon Uwukhaeb, 29, appeared in the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court yesterday on a charge of murder in connection with the hijacking of a beer truck last month.
The body of truck driver Johannes Onaani, 55, was found in the bushes on the road to Oshivelo, Otavi and Tsumeb in the Oshikoto Region two weeks ago.
Uwukhaeb is charged with five counts - theft of a motor vehicle, murder, theft, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, and possession of a firearm without a licence.
Magistrate Peter Nangula remanded Uwukhaeb in police custody pending further police investigations and postponed the matter to September 23.
Public prosecutor Nelao Ya France is representing the State.
According to the police, Onaani was last seen on May 22 at around 19:00 when he gave two hitchhikers a lift at Tsumeb.
On May 25 the police found Onaani's truck abandoned without any cargo and no trace of the driver. The truck had been carrying 2 000 crates of beer worth N$300 000.
Uwukhaeb was arrested shortly after the truck was discovered, which led to the confiscation of 200 crates of beer found at Okahandja while the rest of the cargo was cordoned off at Otjiwarongo.
The police are still searching for a second suspect who is believed to have fled to Botswana.