Shololo makes court debut

WINDHOEK, 28 JAN (NAMPA) - The second suspect in the Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) heist, Sam Shololo, made his first court appearance before Magistrate Olga Muharukua on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old Shololo is charged alongside Joel Angula, 45. The duo is charged in connection with the robbery at the state-owned enterprise last week, which led to the death of the company’s chief of security, Francis Eiseb. Another suspect, Max Endjala, allegedly fatally shot himself as police officers closed in on him.
It is alleged that the suspects unlawfully entered the Namdia building on 18 January 2025, held staff members hostage, and stole an undisclosed number of diamonds.
The Deputy Inspector General, Elias Motata, has informed this agency that some of the diamonds were recovered.
Shololo was denied bail because of the seriousness of the charge, the strength of the state’s case against him, fear of interfering with witnesses, the administration of justice and public interest. The State, represented by Prosecutor Rowan van Wyk, also indicated that Shololo is a flight risk.
Magistrate Muharukua however explained to him, his rights to a formal bail application. Shololo has, in the meantime, indicated that he will be applying for legal aid.
Collectively, the suspects face five charges, namely murder read with section 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, Act 17 of 1986; robbery read with section 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, Act 17 of 1986, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of rough and uncut diamonds.
The matter was postponed to 28 January 2025 to allow for further police investigations.
(NAMPA)
EB/AS/EK