Four suspected poachers remanded in custody at Outjo

OUTJO, 15 JUN  – Four suspected poachers were on Thursday remanded in custody at Outjo on charges of illegal hunting and possession of game meat.
Charles Boois, 31; Ritjie Kamendu, 29; 31-year-old Albert Luiperd and Albert Gamseb, 31, were not asked to plead.
Outjo Magistrate Peingondjabi Shipo explained their right to engage a lawyer of their choice; apply for a State-funded lawyer through the Ministry of Justice’s Directorate of Legal Aid or defend their case themselves in court.
They opted to apply for a State-funded lawyer.
Shipo then postponed the case to 14 August 2018 to allow them to acquire legal representation and to allow for further police further investigations.
Public prosecutor, Johannes Kalipi represented the State in the matter.
Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha in an interview with Nampa on Friday said the four were first suspected to have hunted and killed wild animals in the Otjikondo area on Monday.
“During our regular mobile patrols that same night, we again came across them at Farm Tsumamas outside Outjo, where they were arrested at around 22h00,” she said.
They were arrested after the house at Farm Tsumamas was searched and three fresh carcasses of Oryx with an estimated value of N.dollars 9 000 were found stashed in the house.
Mbeha said they were taken to the Outjo Police Station that night and only charged on Wednesday.
Police investigations in the matter continue.

NAMPA