Tsumeb community protests during NamPol Chief Inspector’s apearance

TSUMEB, 19 APR – Angry Tsumeb community members protested in front of the magistrate’s court at the town on Thursday over the postponement of the murder case of Chief Inspector Bernhard Nghuulivali of the Namibian Police Force.
They are also not happy about the fact that the Tsumeb police station commander was not suspended after he allegedly shot and killed the 15-year-old Hendrik Au-eibeb in January this year.
He was arrested on 31 March.
The 45-year-old Nghuulivali on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Mutuku Ruben Hamunyera, who postponed his case to 30 July 2018 (not 30 June as reported earlier), for further police investigations.
The postponement triggered a heated protest by community members who had earlier unsuccessfully attempted to enter the court.
During the protest they demanded justice for Au-eibeb’s murder and said they are not happy with the way in which Nghuulivali’s case is being handled.
“We will stand up against injustice and we will ensure that this murder case is handled accordingly and get the justice it deserves,” Lisken Claasen said on behalf of the protesters.
She went on to say the Tsumeb community wants another prosecutor and magistrate to handle the case.
In a petition the community handed over to the magistrate’s office in Tsumeb on Tuesday, they alleged that there were unnecessary delays in arresting Nghuulivali, “but the court found it easy to grant bail”.
Nghuulivali is said to have used his service pistol in the incident. The teenager died while being transported to the Tsumeb State Hospital, situated less than a kilometre from the crime scene between the buildings of Build It and Central Northern Electricity Distributor.
The station commander is out on bail of N.dollars 10 000 until his next court appearance.
The police force’s commander in the region, Armas Shivute confirmed on Thursday that Nghuulivali has not yet been suspended and said his suspension depends on the outcome of a disciplinary hearing set to take place soon.
“He is currently on leave,” Shivute told Nampa.
Prosecutor Harakuta Tjiandjeua appeared for the State, while legal practitioner Sisa Namandje is representing Nghuulivali.
NAMPA