Suspected church killers appear
The matter was remanded to 21 June for further police investigations and for the suspects to acquire legal representation.
The four suspects, who were arrested for the murder of a 28-year-old man in a church at Odibo, have appeared in the Ohangwena Magistrate’s Court.
The suspects, Matias Nakale and Petrus Weyulu Mweendobe, both aged 21, along with two minors aged 17, appeared before Magistrate Letta Simon on Tuesday for the death of Titus Kaluvi who was attacked and killed in the Anglican Church at Odibo over the weekend.
The matter was remanded to 21 June for further police investigations and for the suspects to acquire legal representation.
Nakale informed the court he will conduct his own defence while the three other suspects indicated they would apply for legal aid.
The four were denied bail and remain in police custody at the behest of prosecutor Sakaria Mupuma.
“Bail should not be granted, based on the seriousness of the case, and it will not be in the interest of the public. The investigation is still in its infancy stage and we fear that the suspects might interfere. The state also fears that the accused persons might abscond to Angola,” Mupumu said.
Ohangwena police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Abner Itumba, said at around 00:45 on Saturday the four suspects allegedly entered the Anglican Church where a Student Christian Movement (SCM) was having a social evening.
“They allegedly entered the church and Kaluvi is said to have asked them to remove their caps. The suspects apparently decided to leave, and while they were exiting, Kaluvi attempted to close the door of the church. One of the suspects pulled him by the scarf and they then allegedly attacked him,” Itumba said.
He added that a wooden stick was also used to assault the victim.
Kaluvi was declared dead on arrival at the St Mary’s Hospital which is just few metres from the church.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The suspects, Matias Nakale and Petrus Weyulu Mweendobe, both aged 21, along with two minors aged 17, appeared before Magistrate Letta Simon on Tuesday for the death of Titus Kaluvi who was attacked and killed in the Anglican Church at Odibo over the weekend.
The matter was remanded to 21 June for further police investigations and for the suspects to acquire legal representation.
Nakale informed the court he will conduct his own defence while the three other suspects indicated they would apply for legal aid.
The four were denied bail and remain in police custody at the behest of prosecutor Sakaria Mupuma.
“Bail should not be granted, based on the seriousness of the case, and it will not be in the interest of the public. The investigation is still in its infancy stage and we fear that the suspects might interfere. The state also fears that the accused persons might abscond to Angola,” Mupumu said.
Ohangwena police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Abner Itumba, said at around 00:45 on Saturday the four suspects allegedly entered the Anglican Church where a Student Christian Movement (SCM) was having a social evening.
“They allegedly entered the church and Kaluvi is said to have asked them to remove their caps. The suspects apparently decided to leave, and while they were exiting, Kaluvi attempted to close the door of the church. One of the suspects pulled him by the scarf and they then allegedly attacked him,” Itumba said.
He added that a wooden stick was also used to assault the victim.
Kaluvi was declared dead on arrival at the St Mary’s Hospital which is just few metres from the church.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article