Prison Covid infections delay Fishrot court appearance
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
A rise in Covid-19 cases reported at Windhoek Central Prison has resulted in a situation where trial-awaiting prisoners will not be able to attend any of their court appearances.
This follows after the Fishrot suspects were supposed to appear in court yesterday but could not, because prison officials are trying to control internal Covid-19 cases.
Speaking to Namibian Sun, Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Services, Raphael Hamunyela, said its facilities were closed to control the virus from spreading among inmates.
“The situation is changing… it had been quiet, but in the past month and beginning of this month it has been picking up. We are trying to suspend all movement. We asked court to put appearances on hold,” Hamunyela said.
Not out of control
He said while cases are on the rise, the situation is not out of control.
“It’s not bad, it’s not out of control. Our medical personnel are on top of it.”
Efforts are also underway to ensure inmates get vaccinated against Covid-19, Hamunyela said.
“That provision is there for inmates as it was given to all Namibians by our ministry of health. For Windhoek, we do not have any excuse at all,” he said.
He could, however, not provide any information on the number of inmates and prison officials vaccinated.
Fishrot joinder impacted
The rise in Covid-19 cases has also affected an application by the State to join the Nangomar and Fishcor corruption cases.
Hamunyela said Fishrot suspects had contracted Covid-19 and were in isolation.
“We have some of the Fishrot who tested positive,” he said.
State prosecutor Ed Marondedze acknowledged the hearing delay, saying a letter from the Judges Chamber had informed the prosecution about it.
“We received a circular from the Judges Chamber that due to a Covid-19 outbreak, the hearing was postponed in absentia. A new date is still to be shared,” he said.
WINDHOEK
A rise in Covid-19 cases reported at Windhoek Central Prison has resulted in a situation where trial-awaiting prisoners will not be able to attend any of their court appearances.
This follows after the Fishrot suspects were supposed to appear in court yesterday but could not, because prison officials are trying to control internal Covid-19 cases.
Speaking to Namibian Sun, Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Services, Raphael Hamunyela, said its facilities were closed to control the virus from spreading among inmates.
“The situation is changing… it had been quiet, but in the past month and beginning of this month it has been picking up. We are trying to suspend all movement. We asked court to put appearances on hold,” Hamunyela said.
Not out of control
He said while cases are on the rise, the situation is not out of control.
“It’s not bad, it’s not out of control. Our medical personnel are on top of it.”
Efforts are also underway to ensure inmates get vaccinated against Covid-19, Hamunyela said.
“That provision is there for inmates as it was given to all Namibians by our ministry of health. For Windhoek, we do not have any excuse at all,” he said.
He could, however, not provide any information on the number of inmates and prison officials vaccinated.
Fishrot joinder impacted
The rise in Covid-19 cases has also affected an application by the State to join the Nangomar and Fishcor corruption cases.
Hamunyela said Fishrot suspects had contracted Covid-19 and were in isolation.
“We have some of the Fishrot who tested positive,” he said.
State prosecutor Ed Marondedze acknowledged the hearing delay, saying a letter from the Judges Chamber had informed the prosecution about it.
“We received a circular from the Judges Chamber that due to a Covid-19 outbreak, the hearing was postponed in absentia. A new date is still to be shared,” he said.
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