Keetmanshoop, Namibia - Five men accused of robbery and impersonating a police officer in Keetmanshoop were remanded in custody following their first court appearance in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court on Monday. Their case has been postponed to January 10 of the following year for further police investigation and to allow the accused to obtain legal representation.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), The accused, identified as Berthold Upindi (36), Ernest Katjire (45), Alberto Bohitile (40), Ryan Gariseb (34), and Harrison Okezie (40), appeared before magistrate Uchen Konjore. During the proceedings, Upindi expressed his intention to seek legal aid, while the others indicated they would hire private lawyers. Magistrate Konjore advised the accused to file formal bail applications if they wished to be released on bail. The State's case was represented by Rafael Fransiskus.
According to Deputy Commissioner Nikodemus Mbango, the Namibian Police Force's crime investigations coordinator for ||Kharas, the incident occurred on Friday around 12h00. The accused allegedly approached a male victim at his residence, offering to sell what appeared to be a fake diamond. After withdrawing money from the bank for the purchase, the victim was duped by an individual impersonating a police officer, resulting in a loss of N.dollars 12,000.
A subsequent manhunt led to the arrest of the suspects in Mariental en route to Windhoek. Notably, one of the accused is a police officer from the emergency rescue unit in the Khomas Region and was found in possession of a service pistol, full police uniform, and a bulletproof vest, while another is a former police officer. The police have recovered N.dollars 6,000 of the stolen amount.