A member of the Namibian Police Force’s Protected Resources Unit (PRU) who was on Tuesday arrested for alleged theft of a rhino horn at Otjiwarongo, has been denied bail.

The 45-year-old sergeant, Salatiel Simon, appeared briefly before Otjiwarongo Magistrate Karel Muyeghu in the presence of his privately instructed lawyer, Kenneth Siambango on Wednesday.

His case was postponed to 24 January 2023 for further police investigations and he was remanded in police custody.

Public prosecutor Toini Amuthitu represented the State in the matter.

Simon is accused of theft after a horn weighing 12 kilogrammes with an estimated value of N.dollars 96 000 went missing while in his care.

He was between 30 September 2022 and 03 October 2022 given six rhino horns for safe keeping and then allegedly only booked in five horns at the Otjiwarongo Police Station.

The officer was approached for questioning on the whereabouts of the sixth horn and reportedly did not provide satisfactory answers, resulting in his arrest.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency