Two men arrested Thursday at Okuapa village in the Okamatapati area in the Otjozondjupa Region for the alleged theft of 49 stolen cattle, were on Monday denied bail in the Okakarara Magistrate’s Court.
Uakotora Muhipa, 49, and Tjaripara Tjeripo Tjihara, 38, were arrested after allegedly being found with the 49 stolen heads of cattle with a market value of N.dollars 450 000.
Muhipa and Tjihara appeared before the Okakarara Magistrate, Abel Simataa Sankwasa, who explained to them their legal rights to engage a private lawyer of their choice; apply for a State-funded lawyer through the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid Directorate or defend themselves in court.
The accused indicated to court their desire to apply for legal aid.
Prosecutor Adjah Nepembe representing the State in the matter, said she objected to any granting of bail, as Muhipa especially has a pending stock theft case of November 2019, from which he was out on bail.
“Therefore, any granting of bail to them may risk interference with the State witnesses who are their neighbours, as well as opening another opportunity for them to re-offend,” she said.
The duo was then denied bail by the magistrate and remanded in police custody at Okakarara.
Muhipa and Tjihara allegedly stole the 49 cattle in grazing land located approximately 20 kilometres from where they were found at Okuapa village in the Okamatapati area.
The recovered cattle were on Friday handed over to the 57-year-old owner, according to the Namibian Police Force.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency