Police frustrated as courts free serial murder, robbery suspects

Police investigators have expressed frustration over the courts’ repeated decisions to grant bail to suspects accused of violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery.This follows the arrest of five men in Windhoek’s Monte Cristo area on Tuesday during a failed robbery attempt. Several of the suspects were reportedly out on bail for previous serious offences.While police successfully managed to foil the robbery, investigators expressed deep concern that individuals with serious pending cases continue to be granted bail.“How do you grant bail to someone with a pending murder case who then gets arrested for another murder?” one investigator asked. “How many people need to die before these criminals are kept behind bars until their trials conclude?”Another officer said: “We are committed to protecting Namibians and we’ll never stop. But it’s disheartening. Bail is being granted without investigating officers even being called to testify. Defence lawyers are consulting privately with prosecutors, and suspects walk free.”Penchant for violence Among the group arrested this week is a man currently out on bail in two separate murder cases, one of which involves the killing of Patrick Hawala Hamupunda – widely known as 'Waka' – who was shot and hacked to death in Katutura in August 2023.Roughly 14 months after their arrest for Hamupunda’s brutal killing, suspects Lukas ‘Big Show’ Nghishekwa, Festus Vulika Nehemia, Lukas Ndapanda Andreas, Kleopas Nghishikushitya Amutenya, Felix Armani Imfusi and Modestus Mwawedange Wilhelm were all granted bail.The case has since been transferred to the High Court, where the accused made their first appearance before deputy judge president Hannelie Prinsloo on 16 July.According to police sources, Nghishekwa has since re-emerged as a central figure in a string of robberies across Windhoek. He is also reportedly linked to the 2021 murder of a security guard during a cash-in-transit robbery in Okalongo.Deadly freedom Three of the suspects apprehended this week were already wanted in connection with several crimes, including the 8 July armed robbery at the Lafrenz Total Service Station, during which N$560 000 was stolen. They also face charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property and other offences. One of the suspects arrested during the Tuesday failed robbery – Elias Haifete, also known as ‘Small Boy’ – had also been linked to the murder of Windhoek businesswoman Fiina Nghifikwa (39), who was shot dead last week during a robbery in Wanaheda.Nghifikwa and a friend were lured to a property under the pretext of viewing a room for rent.The assailants allegedly held them at gunpoint, stole their phones and shot Nghifikwa during the attack.Exactly a week later, Haifete was arrested along with Nghishekwa, Lotto Haindongo, Pinias Haiduwa and Amon Haikali.Foiled robbery in LafrenzPolice sources told Namibian Sun that Tuesday’s attempted robbery targeted a Southern Cross Security cash-in-transit vehicle delivering money to a local service station.“The suspects originally intended to strike the Southern Cross truck at Katutura Shoprite but aborted that plan. They then followed the vehicle to Lafrenz, while a second group was positioned at Khomasdal Hyper Mall,” a police source revealed.“However, intelligence-led operations had already picked up their movements based on previous crimes. That’s when police intervened and arrested them in Lafrenz.”Demoralising and frustratingSpeaking to Namibian Sun on Wednesday, Namibian Police deputy inspector general Elias Mutota voiced frustration at the system, saying: “Some people have up to 10 cases. Yet they get released on bail and come back to the streets. What can we do?”He noted that police engagement with the courts is limited to working through public prosecutors and that law enforcement has no influence over judicial decisions.Mutota stressed that the legal system presumes all accused individuals are innocent until proven guilty, which makes it difficult to keep suspects in custody while awaiting trial.He said that it would not be surprising if some of the suspects arrested on Tuesday in Monte Christo, despite facing a slew of serious charges, are released again on bail.“Just wait and see. They will be released. Those are the challenges we face daily as courts are independent,” he said.Mutota acknowledged the emotional toll this cycle takes on investigators. “It’s demoralising for the investigators. And I feel their pain because we too are frustrated. It’s frustrating,” he added.

Police frustrated as courts free serial murder, robbery suspects

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

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Police frustrated as courts free serial murder, robbery suspects

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

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