Accused in prosecutor murder case poses flight risk, state claims
The state has argued that Petrus Shikwaya, who is one of the accused charged with murdering Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, would be a serious flight risk if released on bail. Public prosecutor Yeukai Kangira said in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that Shikwaya and other accused in the same case were found with an […] The post Accused in prosecutor murder case poses flight risk, state claims appeared first on The Namibian.
Black News 
The state has argued that Petrus Shikwaya, who is one of the accused charged with murdering Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, would be a serious flight risk if released on bail.
Public prosecutor Yeukai Kangira said in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that Shikwaya and other accused in the same case were found with an escape plan while in police custody at Ondangwa.
Kangira made the claim during the hearing of a bail application by Shikwaya.
Shikwaya, medical doctor Fillemon Nakanduungile, Petrus Uusiku and Nghilifavali Johannes were transferred to Grootfontein Correctional Facility in January this year.
“Why were you planning to escape from Ondangwa [police custody]?” Kangira asked Shikwaya.
Shikwaya denied the allegation, responding: “I did not plan to escape from Ondangwa.”
Despite the denial, Kangira maintained that the state has evidence to support its claims, and argued that Shikwaya should not be granted bail as he may abscond.
“If you are granted bail, you will not stand trial. You will escape [from the country],” Kangira said.
She further told the court that Shikwaya has not surrendered his passport, despite earlier claims to the contrary.
“You have not surrendered your passport although you have told this court that you have surrendered your passport to the police. You still have your passport, sir,” Kangira said.
The state maintains that these factors demonstrate a high likelihood that the accused could evade trial if released on bail.
The matter has been postponed to 9 June for the continuation of the bail hearing.
Shiweda (31) was shot several times and attacked with a corrosive substance on 17 October last year. She died as a result of her injuries in February this year, after nearly four months of hospital treatment.
The post Accused in prosecutor murder case poses flight risk, state claims appeared first on The Namibian.
