No bail for alleged cocaine importers
Grant Noble and Azhar Dinath will remain in custody for the duration of their cocaine trial.
Magistrate Ilge Rheent has rejected a bail application brought by Grant Noble (36) and Azhar Dinath (62), the two men arrested in connection with a 412kg cocaine haul discovered at the port of Walvis Bay in June.
The two accused were visibly shocked by the ruling, which means that they will remain in custody for the duration of the trial. The case was postponed until 29 November for further investigation.
In her ruling, which lasted more than 30 minutes, Rheent concluded that the interest of justice would not be served by releasing the applicants on bail.
Prosecutor Salomon Kanyemba, assisted by Theresa Hafeni, had opposed bail on behalf of the State. Hafeni welcomed the ruling and said the investigation could now continue without interference and fear.
“The nation needs this. It was not easy. All hopes were placed on the shoulders of prosecutors in the town of Walvis Bay.”
Leon Louw, a member of the West Coast Ecumenical Movement, who had handed in a letter opposing bail for the accused, also welcomed the verdict.
Lawyers Sisa Namandje, Jan Wessels and Sacky Khadhila-Amoomo represented the accused in their bail application.
OTIS FINCK
The two accused were visibly shocked by the ruling, which means that they will remain in custody for the duration of the trial. The case was postponed until 29 November for further investigation.
In her ruling, which lasted more than 30 minutes, Rheent concluded that the interest of justice would not be served by releasing the applicants on bail.
Prosecutor Salomon Kanyemba, assisted by Theresa Hafeni, had opposed bail on behalf of the State. Hafeni welcomed the ruling and said the investigation could now continue without interference and fear.
“The nation needs this. It was not easy. All hopes were placed on the shoulders of prosecutors in the town of Walvis Bay.”
Leon Louw, a member of the West Coast Ecumenical Movement, who had handed in a letter opposing bail for the accused, also welcomed the verdict.
Lawyers Sisa Namandje, Jan Wessels and Sacky Khadhila-Amoomo represented the accused in their bail application.
OTIS FINCK
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