Three Swapo councillors of the Oniipa Town Council charged with corruption were on Tuesday remanded in police custody at Ondangwa after their case was postponed to 09 September 2021.
Mayor David Kambonde, Deputy Mayor Hileni Idhogela and former management committee chairperson Thomas Matsi were arrested on Monday and made their first court appearance on the same day before magistrate Makapa Castro Simasiku, who postponed the case for the trio to get legal representation.
The three councillors face two charges of corruption for allegedly using their office or positions for gratification and corruptly giving false documents to an agent. They also face a third alternative charge of corruptly using a false document by an agent.
The three told the court that they intend to each appoint private lawyers as legal representation.
Prosecutor Wisdom Ndakondja told the court the State is opposing bail at this stage as it would not be in the interest of justice for the court to grant bail to the accused.
Ndakondja further said the prosecution fears that the trio will interfere with investigations.
During the appearance, Matsi told the court while he does not object to the date set for the next hearing, he objects to being remanded in custody, as he has issues with his leg and will constantly need a doctor.
“As I stand here, my leg is already swollen,” he told the court.
His co-accused Idhogela too objected to being kept in custody, saying she is a teacher by profession and since school just opened, she needs to attend to her learners.
Idhogela said she also needs to be given an opportunity to see a lawyer.
Kambonde was also not happy with the custody decision, saying he is employed to work with orphans.
“I have an illness and I underwent an operation. I am taking care of seven children and I am of the view that there will be no day I will interfere with State witnesses or police investigations,” he said.
The court advised the trio to launch formal bail applications as soon as they can.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
