The 26-year-old man accused of stealing a vehicle at Okahandja was on Friday remanded in police custody by the Otavi Magistrate’s Court, where he made his first appearance.

Uatjini Mootu appeared before Otavi Magistrate McLean Handjaba, who explained his legal right to either engage a private lawyer, apply for a State-funded lawyer through the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid Department, or defend himself.

Mootu opted to conduct his own defence.

His case was then postponed to 12 July 2021 for further police investigations, and also for a report on his mental state.

Public prosecutor Elana Does appeared for the State.

It is alleged that Mootu on Tuesday stole a 2019 Ford Ranger he found parked at a service station in Okahandja while the owner was reportedly inside the shop. He then drove to Otjiwarongo and proceeded to Otavi where he refueled the vehicle and sped off to Tsumeb without settling the N.dollars 553 he owed for the fuel.

According to the Namibian Police Force’s spokesperson for Otjozondjupa, Maureen Mbeha, photos of the stolen car were circulated on social media and a Tsumeb police officer on duty spotted it there.

The police officer allegedly then approached Mootu demanding to see his driver’s licence, but Mootu allegedly sped off to Grootfontein.

A chase with this Tsumeb police officer then started, but the Ranger was faster than the police vehicle, explained Mbeha.

The police officer called Grootfontein for reinforcement, who later also joined the chase in the direction of Kombat, where the police blocked the road and arrested Mootu.

He is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing from law enforcement officers, reckless driving, and theft of fuel at a service station, amongst others.

Mootu is also expected to appear in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court.

The vehicle and a cell phone were recovered and are expected to be handed over to the owner at Okahandja, said Mbeha.

Source: Namibia Press Agency