The Bethanie Magistrate’s Court on Monday granted former NAMDIA employee Stephanus Charles Rhoman and senior police officer Willem Stoffel bail of N$8,000 each.

The two are accused of defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

It is alleged that Stoffel and Rhoman relocated livestock from farm Naris in the Bethanie district on instructions from George Cloete. 

Cloete faces charges of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and illicit trafficking of diamonds allegedly stolen during a robbery in Namibia in January last year.

The State opposed bail on grounds of the seriousness of the offence, the risk of interference with witnesses, and the possibility of absconding. 

He further argued that there is a likelihood the applicants may reoffend, maintaining that the State has established a prima facie case against them.

Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Noah Samuel said the court found that the existing incriminating evidence does not indicate the strength of the State’s case against the applicants.

He added that the administration of justice would not be served, considering the evidence before the court, by keeping the applicants in detention.

Moreover, the court found the state failed to demonstrate how the release of the applicants would undermine justice beyond general public concern. 

Both Stoffel and Rhoman were ordered to report every Monday and Friday between the hours of 08h00 and 18h00 at the Keetmanshoop and Windhoek police stations, respectively.

Stoffel may not leave  the Windhoek district, while Rhoman may not leave the Keetmanshoop  district. 

The applicants were also ordered not to interfere with witnesses, particularly Stefan Botes and farm workers, or to tamper with evidence.