S v Ndikwetepo and Others (1) (CC 61 of 1992) [1992] NAHC 2 (6 July 1992)

T HE S T A TE vs P A U L US N D I K W E T E PO AND 5 O T H ER CC 61/92 M u l l e r, A. J. 1 9 9 2 / 0 7 / 06 C R I M I N AL P R O C E D U R E. Trial w i t h in a t r i al - c o n f e s s i on a d m i t t ed after e v i d e n ce - o t h er s t a t e m e n ts a d m i t t e d. IN T HE H I GH C O U RT OF NAMIBIA In t he m a t t er b e t w e en CASE N O. 61/92 T HE S T A TE and 1. P A U L US N D I K W E T E PO 2. P R I M US A N G U LA 3. M A T H E US TJAPA 4. M W O O MA N G H I H A L E M H O TE 5. M I C H A EL A N G U LA 6. V E N A S I US A M E HO 7. M A R T IN KADWIKA C O R A M: M U L L E R, A . J. D e l i v e r ed o n: 1992.07.06 J U D G E M E NT ON THE A D M I S S I B I L I TY OF THE S T A T E M E N TS BY A C C U S ED N O S. 3, 4 A ND 7: M U L L E R, A C T I NG J U D G E: As t h is t r i al has a l r e a dy c o n s u m ed a lot of t i me w h i ch m a de it v e ry d i f f i c u lt for my t wo a s s e s s o rs to a t t e nd t he w h o le t r i al a nd b o th a s s e s s o rs had p r o b l e ms at t h is p o i nt in t i me to sit in t h is m a t t e r, I d i s c u s s ed the m a t t er w i th c o u n s el a nd in t he i n t e r e st of t he a d m i n i s t r a t i on of j u s t i ce h a ve d e c i d ed t h at I w o u ld d e al w i th t he t r i al w i t h in a t r i al in r e s p e ct of the s t a t e m e n ts by t h e se t h r ee a c c u s ed on my o w n. C o u n s el w e re a f f o r d ed the o p p o r t u n i ty to d i s c u ss t h is w i th t h e ir c l i e n ts and u p on i n s t r u c t i o ns by t h e m, b o th Mr G r o b l e r, Mr K a s u to as w e ll as Mr Small for t he S t a te i n d i c a t ed t h at t h ey had no o b j e c t i on if I should d e c i de in t e r ms of S e c t i on 145(3) (b) to sit for the p u r p o se of t he t r i al w i t h in a t r i al a l o n e. C o n s e q u e n t ly I sat a l o ne a nd t he j u d g m e nt in r e s p e ct of the a d m i s s i b i l i ty of t h e se s t a t e m e n ts is my o w n. At t he o u t s et of t he p r o c e e d i n gs in r e s p e ct of t he s t a t e m e n ts by a c c u s ed n o s. 3, 4 and 7, Mr G r o b l er on b e h a lf of a c c u s ed n o. 4, i n f o r m ed t he C o u rt t h at a c c u s ed n o. 4 h as no o b j e c t i on to t he h a n d i ng in of his s t a t e m e nt w h i ch c o n s e q u e n t ly d id not n e c e s s i t a te a t r i al w i t h in a t r i al w i th r e g a rd to a c c u s ed n o. 4. T h is s t a t e m e nt has b e en h a n d ed in and w i ll f o rm p a rt of t he e v i d e n t i al m a t e r i al in t he t r i a l. In r e s p e ct of a c c u s ed n o. 3 t he S t a te c a l l ed C h i ef I n s p e c t or W . I. T e r b l a n c he w ho w as at t he t i me and still i s, a C h i ef I n s p e c t or in t he N a m i b i an P o l i ce s t a t i o n ed at K a t u t u ra a nd a J u s t i ce of t he P e a ce for t he p u r p o s es of S e c t i on 2 17 of t he C r i m i n al P r o c e d u re A c t. A c c o r d i ng to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as b r o u g ht to his o f f i ce on t he 2 8th M a r ch 1991 and i n d i c a t ed that he w a n t ed to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t. C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he w a r n ed t he a c c u s ed in t e r ms of t he J u d g e 's R u l es w h e r e u p on a c c u s ed n o. 3 said he w a n t ed to m a ke a s t a t e m e nt and Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t h en p r o c e e d ed to t a ke a s t a t e m e nt in w r i t i ng from a c c u s ed n o. 3. T he s t a t e m e nt w as read out in C o u rt and c o n t a i n ed a ll t he p e r s o n al p a r t i c u l a rs of a c c u s ed n o. 3 in t he f i r st p a rt t h e r e o f. He w as i n f o r m ed t h at he w as in t he p r e s e n ce of a J u s t i ce of t he P e a ce by Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a nd w as further i n f o r m ed t h at an o f f e n ce of a r m ed r o b b e ry is b e i ng i n v e s t i g a t ed a g a i n st him in r e s p e ct of an a t t e m pt to rob a W h i te m an at a farm near O k a h a n d j a. A f t er he h ad b e en w a r n ed t h at t h is is a serious o f f e n ce a nd he is n ot o b l i g ed to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t, but t h at he is e n t i t l ed to g i ve an e x p l a n a t i on in w r i t i ng w h i ch m ay be u s ed as e v i d e n ce a g a i n st h i m, a c c u s ed n o. 3 i n d i c a t ed t h at he w as s o b er and by h is full s e n s e s, not forced by a n y b o dy to m a ke a s t a t e m e nt a nd t h at he u n d e r s t o od his r i g h t s. T h e r e a f t er t he f o l l o w i ng q u e s t i o ns w e re p ut to a c c u s ed n o. 3 a nd t he f o l l o w i ng a n s w e rs r e c o r d ed in w r i t i ng on t he s t a t e m e n t: 1. Do y ou u n d e r s t a nd or c o m p r e h e n d, t he w a r n i ng w h i ch h as b e en g i v en to y ou by me? A n s w e r: Y e s; 2. W e re y ou a s s a u l t ed by a n y b o dy or h a ve y ou b e en t h r e a t e n ed by anybody in o r d er to g i ve t h is s t a t e m e n t? A n s w e r: N o; 3. Do y ou h a ve any i n j u r i es of any n a t u re and if a ny d e s c r i b e. A n s w e r: N o; 4. Did a n y o ne m a ke any p r o m i se to y ou in any w ay or p e r s u a d ed y ou to m a ke t h is s t a t e m e n t? A n s w e r: N o; 5. Do y ou e x p e ct any b e n e f i ts in c a se y ou m a ke a ny s t a t e m e n t? A n s w e r: N o; 6. Do y ou h a ve any w i t n e s s e s? A n s w e r: N o; T he s t a t e m e nt w as t h en t a k en d o wn by C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he b ut t he c o n t e nt t h e r e of w as n ot at t he t i me r e v e a l ed to t he C o u r t. A c c u s ed n o. 3 a l so i n d i c a t ed t h at the s t a t e m e nt w as read over to h i m, t h at it w as c o r r e ct a nd that he signed it. Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a l so signed i t. No i n t e r p r e t er w as u s e d. It w as i n d i c a t ed on t he d o c u m e nt t h at t he s t a t e m e nt w as c o m p l e t ed at 12 o ' c l o ck on t he 2 8 th M a r ch 1 9 9 1. A c c o r d i ng to I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he o n ly he h i m s e lf a nd a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as p r e s e nt d u r i ng t he c o u r se of t a k i ng of his s t a t e m e n t. P e o p le at t i m es e n t e r ed t he o f f i ce b ut t h en left a g a in and w h i le t h ey w e re i n s i d e, C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he d i d n 't c o n t i n ue w i th t he s t a t e m e nt b ut w a i t ed u n t il they w e re finished and l e f t. D u r i ng c r o s s- e x a m i n a t i on by Mr K a s u to on b e h a lf of a c c u s ed n o. 3, it w as p ut to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t h at a c c o r d i ng to a c c u s ed n o. 3 t h is s t a t e m e nt w as g i v en as a r e s u lt of t h r e a ts a nd u n d ue i n f l u e n ce by F i l l e m on K a n a e l e, a p o l i ce i n f o r m a n t, w ho a c c o r d i ng to a c c u s ed n o. 3 b r o u g ht h im t he p r e v i o us e v e n i ng to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e, b ut w h en a c c u s ed n o. 3 d i d n 't w a nt to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t, he w as r e t u r n ed to t he c e l ls and a g a in b r o u g ht to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce on t h at p a r t i c u l ar m o r n i ng of t he 2 8 th M a r ch 1 9 9 1. A c c o r d i ng to a c c u s ed n o. 3 F i l l e m on K a n a e le r e m a i n ed p r e s e nt in t he r o om and had in fact a p i s t ol in his hand w i th w h i ch he t h r e a t e n ed a c c u s ed n o. 3 in t he p r e s e n ce of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and a l so m a de c e r t a in t h r e a ts to a c c u s ed n o. 3 to the e f f e ct t h at he w i ll be h u rt if he d i d n 't m a ke a statement and a l so t h at t he P r e s i d e nt of N a m i b ia w as v e ry d i s s a t i s f i ed w i th w h at t h ey h a ve d o n e. A ll t h e se t h r e a ts and t he fact t h at F i l l e m on K a n a e le w as p r e s e nt a nd e v en had a p i s t ol in his hand w as v e h e m e n t ly d e n i ed by C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e. C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he s t i p u l a t ed t h at he w o u ld not have a l l o w ed F i l l e m on K a n a e le w ho w as a m e re i n f o r m a nt to be p r e s e nt d u r i ng t he c o u r se of t a k i ng d o wn a c c u s ed 31 s statement and that he w as in fact not p r e s e n t. He further d e n i ed t h at he w o u ld h a ve a l l o w ed any t h r e at to be m a de or a n y o ne h a v i ng a w e a p on in h is h a nd to be p r e s e nt d u r i ng the c o u r se of t a k i ng a s t a t e m e nt f r om a s u s p e c t. T he o n ly u n c e r t a i n ty in r e s p e ct of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's e v i d e n ce w as w h e t h er W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si b r o u g ht t he a c c u s ed to his o f f i c e, as w as h is i m p r e s s i on i n i t i a l l y, or n o t. It w as p ut to him t h at N g h o si w as n ot p r e s e n t. T h is w as later p r o v ed by the e v i d e n ce of F i l l e m on K a n a e le t h at N g h o si in fact only a c c o m p a n i ed a c c u s ed n o. 3 as far as T s u m e b. T h is s t a t e m e nt t a k en by C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he from accused n o. w as p r o v i s i o n a l ly h a n d ed in as E X H I B IT ( i i ). Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a l so s u b m i t t ed c o p i es of p a g es of t he o c c u r r e n ce b o ok of K a t u t u ra P o l i ce S t a t i on in respect of the 2 7 th a nd t he 28th M a r ch 1991 and as far as it relates to a c c u s ed n o. 3 t he f o l l o w i ng i n s c r i p t i o ns a p p e ar from that o c c u r r e n ce b o ok of w h i ch t he c o p i es h a ve b e en handed in p r o v i s i o n a l ly as E X H I B IT ( i ): " W e d n e s d a y, 27 M a r ch 1 9 9 1. 18:50 S u s p e ct d e t a i n e d: W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz for M a t h e us T j a p a. POL 8 - 5 3 9 / 0 3 / 91 POL 10 - n o ne on CR 6 0 / 3 / 91 O k a h a n d j a. A t t e m p t ed M u r d e r. F r ee from i n j u r i e s. W e ll d e t a i n e d" On t he 2 8 th M a r ch 1991 t he following i n s c r i p t i o ns a p p e a r: "3037 07:10 S u s p e ct out of c e l l s: C o n s t a b le F i l l e m on w i th M a t h e us T j a p a" "3048 09:05 S u s p e ct b a ck in c e l l s: C o n s t a b le F i l l e m on w i th M a t h e us T j a p a" "3050 09:15 S u s p e ct out of c e l l s: D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es w i th M a t h e us T j a p a" N e xt p a g e: "3064 12:15 suspect b a ck and r e l e a s e d: D e t e c t i ve W a r r a nt O f f i c er Kurz for M a t h e us T j a p a" D e t e c t i ve W a r r a nt O f f i c er W a l t er K u rz t e s t i f i ed t h at in h is p r i v a te v e h i c le he a c c o m p a n i ed a c c u s ed n o. 3 and a n o t h er p o l i ce o f f i c er w ho c a me from t he N o r th from O k a h a n d ja P o l i ce S t a t i on to K a t u t u ra P o l i ce S t a t i on and b o o k ed him on t he l a te a f t e r n o on of t he 27th M a r ch 1991 into t he K a t u t u ra P o l i ce C e l l s. He r e t u r n ed t he n e xt m o r n i ng and a r o u nd 12:15 he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 from t he K a t u t u ra P o l i ce C e l ls b a ck to O k a h a n d ja P o l i ce S t a t i on w h e re he w as further d e t a i n e d. He w as a l so u n d er t he i m p r e s s i on t h at W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si a c c o m p a n i ed a c c u s ed n o. 3. A c c o r d i ng to W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz he d i d n 't see C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he on t he a f t e r n o on of t he 27th w h en he b r o u g ht a c c u s ed n o. 3 to t he P o l i ce S t a t i on at K a t u t u ra as the l a t t er w as a l r e a dy o f f- d u t y. T he n e xt d ay he n o t i c ed F i l l e m on K a n a e le a r o u nd t he C h a r ge O f f i c e. He a l so r e f e r r ed to E X H I B IT (i) and t he p a r t i c u l ar e n t ry in t he K a t u t u ra O c c u r r e n ce B o ok w h e re he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 f r om t he o f f i ce of Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he to t he C h a r ge O f f i ce S e r g e a nt and b o o k ed h im in a nd i m m e d i a t e ly out to h i m s e lf w h e r e a f t er he r e t u r n ed w i th a c c u s ed n o. 3 to O k a h a n d ja P o l i ce S t a t i o n. W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz d e n i ed t h at t he a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as only t a k en to t he P o l i ce S t a t i on in K a t u t u ra so t h at he c o u ld be forced to m a ke a s t a t e m e nt a nd said t h at C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t o ok t he s t a t e m e nt b e c a u se of h is e x p e r i e n ce in t h is r e g a r d. He a l so said t h at W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si w as u s ed b e c a u se he w as w e l l - k n o wn in O w a m bo and an e x c e l l e nt I n v e s t i g a t i on O f f i c er w ho c o u ld s p e ak O w a m bo w h i le they t h e m s e l v es d i d n 't h a ve a p e r s on w i th similar c a p a b i l i t i es and e x p e r i e n ce at t he O k a h a n d ja P o l i ce S t a t i o n. D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt W. M i n n i es t e s t i f i ed w i th r e f e r e n ce to t he O c c u r r e n ce B o ok t h at he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 t h at p a r t i c u l ar m o r n i ng to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce a nd c o n f i r m ed the i n s c r i p t i on in the O c c u r r e n ce B o ok r e f l e c t i ng t h is w h i ch w as signed by him. A c c o r d i ng to h im he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 into the o f f i ce of Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and he t h en attended to his c o u rt d o c k e ts b e f o re l e a v i ng t h at o f f i c e. W h i le he w as still t h e r e, F i l l e m on K a n a e le e n t e r e d, g r e e t ed Inspector T e r b l a n c he and t h en l e ft b e f o re D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es left t he o f f i c e. A c c o r d i ng to M i n n i es K a n a e le d i d n 't t a lk to a c c u s ed n o. 3 a nd d i d n 't have any f i r e - a rm in h is h a n d s. M i n n i es t h en left C h i ef Inspector T e r b l a n c he and a c c u s ed n o. 3 r e m a i n i ng b e h i nd a l o ne in that o f f i ce and c l o s ed t he d o o r. He t h en c o n t i n u ed w i th his own w o rk and a r o u nd 10 o'clock l e ft t he P o l i ce S t a t i o n. A c c o r d i ng to h i m, t h e re is a n o t h er C o n s t a b le w i th the name of F i l l e m on at t he K a t u t u ra P o l i ce S t a t i o n, namely e i t h er F i l e m on P e t r us or P e t r us F i l e m o n. F i l l e m on K a n a e le w as c a l l ed to t e s t i fy and a c c o r d i ng to h i m, he a r r i v ed from the north w i th W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si a nd a c c u s ed n o. 3 a f t er t he latter had b e en a r r e s t e d. N g h o si o n ly a c c o m p a n i ed t h em as far as T s u m eb and t h en r e t u r n ed to O w a m b o. He himself and accused n o. 3 w i th a n o t h er p o l i c e m an c o n t i n u ed w i th the a c c u s ed and m et W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz b e t w e en O k a h a n d ja and O t j i w a r o n g o. T h ey s t o p p ed at t he O t j i w a r o n go Police S t a t i on as a c c u s ed n o. 3 had a p r o b l em in r e s p e ct of his p r i v a te p a rt w h i ch t h en p r e v e n t ed h im to u r i n a t e. W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz assisted a c c u s ed n o. 3 to see a d o c t or in t h is r e s p e c t. A c c o r d i ng to K a n a e le t h ey a r r i v ed at t he P o l i ce S t a t i on at K a t u t u ra late the a f t e r n o on of t he 2 7 th M a r ch 1 9 9 1. A c c u s ed n o. 3 w as i m m e d i a t e ly b o o k ed i n to t he K a t u t u ra p o l i ce c e l l s. As the t e l e p h o n es in t he C h a r ge O f f i ce w e re always e n g a g e d, he w e nt to N g h o s i 's o f f i ce f r om w h e re he p h o n ed Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c h e, w ho w as a l r e a dy at h o me and r e p o r t ed that he w as t h e re w i th a c c u s ed n o. 3. A c c o r d i ng to him he arrived the n e xt m o r n i ng at t he P o l i ce S t a t i on and w e nt to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce w h e re he found Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c h e, S e r g e a nt M i n n i es a nd a c c u s ed n o. 3. K a n a e le t h en g r e e t ed Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and t h en informed him t h at he h as o b t a i n ed a l i ft to O w a m bo and he is in fact r e t u r n i ng for f u r t h er i n v e s t i g a t i o n. He d i d n 't stay l o n g er t h an 3 m i n u t es in C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e, t h en l e f t, c l o s i ng t he d o or and r e t u r n ed to O w a m b o. He w as shown t he O c c u r r e n ce B o ok and d e n i ed t h at he w as the c o n s t a b le F i l l e m on i n d i c a t ed t h e re w ho t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 t h at m o r n i ng out of t he c e l ls a nd r e t u r n ed h im later to the c e l l s. He a l so d e n i ed t h at he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 the p r e v i o us e v e n i ng to the o f f i ce of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he or t h at t h ey spoke to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he as w as p ut to h im by Mr K a s u t o. K a n a e le a l so d e n i ed that he w as p r e s e nt w h i le C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he took the s t a t e m e nt from a c c u s ed n o. 3 or a c t ed as an i n t e r p r e t er or had any f i r e - a rm w i th h i m, or t h r e a t e n ed a c c u s ed n o. 3 as put to him or in any o t h er w a y. He c o n f i r m ed t h at W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si w as not in W i n d h o ek d u r i ng t h at t i m e. He a l so d e n i ed t h at any r e f e r e n ce w as m a de to t he P r e s i d e nt of N a m i b ia or w a r n i n gs by t he P r e s i d e nt in r e s p e ct of accused n o. 3. A c c u s ed n o. 3 t e s t i f i ed t h at a f t er he w as a r r e s t ed in O w a m bo he w as b r o u g ht by F i l l e m on K a n a e le and W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si as far as T s u m e b, w h e re N g h o si left t h em to r e t u rn to O w a m b o. He w as t h en t a k en by W a r r a nt O f f i c er M a r a is a nd W a r r a nt O f f i c er E r a s m us from T s u m eb to O t j i w a r o n g o. F r om O t j i w a r o n go he w as t a k en to W i n d h o ek v ia O k a h a n d ja by K a n a e le and W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u r z. At the K a t u t u ra P o l i ce S t a t i on he w as first left in t he C h a r ge O f f i ce and t h en t a k en to t he c e l l s. L a t er he w as t a k en out of t he c e l ls a nd up to I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e. T h is all h a p p e n ed on t he 2 7 th M a r ch 1991 a c c o r d i ng to a c c u s ed n o. 3. In I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce he w as told "to g i ve m o re e v i d e n c e" w h i ch he r e f u s ed to do a nd said he w i ll only g i ve his full n a m e. The I n s p e c t or t h en told F i l l e m on K a n a e le to t a ke h im b a ck to t he c e l ls and b r i ng him b a ck t he n e xt m o r n i n g. T he I n s p e c t or saw h im a g a in t he n e xt m o r n i ng w h en he w as t a k en from t he c e l ls by F i l l e m on K a n a e le and b r o u g ht to t he I n s p e c t o r 's o f f i c e. A c c o r d i ng to him he w as p u s h ed in a t h r e a t e n i ng m a n n er up t he stairs to the o f f i ce of C h i ef I n s p e ct or T e r b l a n c h e. He w as t h en told to q i ve a t r ue s t a t e m e n t. F i l l e m on K a n a e le g r a b b ed him and had a p i s t ol w i th w h i ch he t h r e a t e n ed him. W h en he r e f u s ed to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t, F i l l e m on K a n a e l e, still h o l d i ng the p i s t ol in h is h a n d s, a c c u s ed h im of h a v i ng k i l l ed his b r o t h er M w o o n d a. He w as a l so t o ld by F i l l e m on K a n a e le to g i ve "the t r ue e v i d e n c e ", a c c o r d i ng to h i m, so t h at they c an t a ke it to t he P r e s i d e nt w ho is not at all s a t i s f i ed w i th w h at a c c u s ed n o. 3 has d o n e. In h is e v i d e n ce in c h i ef he said he h e a rd I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and F i l l e m on t a l k i ng to e a ch o t h e r. F i l l e m on i n t e r p r e t ed in O w a m bo t h at t he P r e s i d e nt h as g i v en t h em t he r i g ht to h u rt h im and e v en to u se e l e c t r i c al w i r es for t h at p u r p o s e. A c c o r d i ng to him I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t o ld F i l l e m on K a n a e le t h at if a c c u s ed n o. 3 m a k es a t r ue s t a t e m e nt t h ey w i ll try to "make the m a t t er s h o r t er and t e ll t he P r e s i d e nt I'm not g u i l t y ". He t h en m a de a s t a t e m e nt to I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he w h i le F i l l e m on K a n a e le i n t e r p r e t e d. He t e s t i f i ed t h at he d o es not u n d e r s t a nd A f r i k a a ns at a l l. I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a l so t o ld h im t h at he w i ll go to t he P r e s i d e nt and t e ll h im t h at a c c u s ed n o. 3 m u st be r e l e a s e d. He spent a long t i me in t he o f f i ce of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e. B e c a u se he w as a f r a id he m a de a s t a t e m e nt and a l so b e c a u se he w as told by W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si t h at K a n a e le had b e a t en h is s i s t er in O w a m b o. He i d e n t i f i ed h is s i g n a t u r es on E X H I B IT (ii) and said t h at he w as n ot w a r n ed at a ll by I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e. He w as just t o ld to s i g n. He said he w o u l d n 't h a ve m a de a s t a t e m e nt if he w a s n 't a f r a id of F i l l e m on K a n a e le as w e ll as C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and in p a r t i c u l ar b e c a u se of w h at t h ey t o ld h im w h at t he P r e s i d e nt said. He d e n i ed t h at he w as t a k en to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce by M i n n i es or a ny o t h er p o l i ce o f f i c er and said t h at he w as t a k en by W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz b a ck to O k a h a n d ja a f t er F i l l e m on K a n a e le t o ok h im f r om C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce to t he c e l l s. He d e n i ed t h at any p o l i ce o f f i c er v i s i t ed him or t o ok h im o ut of t he c e l ls e a r ly t h at m o r n i n g. I n i t i a l l y, d u r i ng c r o s s- e x a m i n a t i o n, a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as a s k ed on h ow m a ny o c c a s i o ns on t he 27th and 28th M a r ch he w as t a k en to C h i ef I n s p e c t or Terblanche's office, whereupon he a n s w e r ed that he was taken t h e re o n c e. He later c h a n g ed t h is by s a y i ng t h at he w as t h e re o n ce on t he 27th and o n ce on t he 2 8th M a r c h. He a l so r e p e a t ed d u r i ng c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i on t h at he w as on a r r i v al on t he 2 7 th of M a r ch first locked up in t he c e l l s. In r e s p e ct of the s t a t e m e n ts by a c c u s ed n o. 7, I n s p e c t or V i s s e r, the C o m m a n d er of the D e t e c t i ve B r a n ch at t he O t j i w a r o n go P o l i ce Station t e s t i f i ed t h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 m a de t wo s t a t e m e n ts on t he 8th A p r il 1991 to him. O ne s t a t e m e nt w as in r e s p e ct of a c e r t a in f i r e - a rm b e l o n g i ng to Mr K r i el a nd t he o t h er in r e s p e ct of a f i r e - a rm t h at w as found on t he p e r s on of a c c u s ed n o. 7. E X H I B IT (iii) b e i ng t he s t a t e m e nt in r e s p e ct of the fire-arm found on t he p e r s on of a c c u s ed n o. 7 w as read into t he record and a f t er t he r e l e v a nt w a r n i n gs w e re m a de to accused n o. 7, a c c o r d i ng to I n s p e c t or V i s s er he m a de a s t a t e m e n t, the c o n t e nt of w h i ch w as n ot r e v e a l ed to t he C o u r t. A c c u s ed n o. 7 signed t he s t a t e m e nt as d id t he i n t e r p r e t er w ho w as used and I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. A c c o r d i ng to Inspector V i s s er this s t a t e m e nt w as f r e e ly a nd v o l u n t a r i ly m a de by a c c u s ed n o. 7 and no t h r e at or u n d ue i n f l u e n ce of any kind w as u s e d. A f u r t h er s t a t e m e nt E X H I B IT (iv) in r e s p e ct of the fire-arms of Mr J o hn H e n ry K r i el w as m a de by a c c u s ed n o. 7 a f t er the w a r n i n gs t h at a p p e ar on t h at d o c u m e nt w as read to accused n o. 7. He signed t he s t a t e m e nt as w e ll as t he i n t e r p r e t er and I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. S i m i l a r ly t he c o n t e nt of the s t a t e m e nt w as not r e v e a l ed to t he C o u rt by t he S t a t e. A l so in r e s p e ct of t h is s t a t e m e n t, I n s p e c t or V i s s er t e s t i f i ed t h at no u n d ue i n f l u e n c e, t h r e at or a ny force w as used to o b t a in t h is s t a t e m e nt and that it w as in fact f r e e ly and v o l u n t a r i ly m a d e. It w as p ut to I n s p e c t or V i s s er t h at b e c a u se he i n t e r r o g a t ed a c c u s ed n o. 7 on t he 2 8 th M a r ch 1991 and accused n o. 7 at t h at stage d i d n 't i n d i c a te t h at he w a n t ed to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t, t he fact t h at he w as c o n f r o n t ed a g a in w i th n ew e v i d e n ce on the 8th A p r il 1991 and t h e r e a f t er m a de a s t a t e m e n t, w as s o m e h ow n ot p r o p e r. I n s p e c t or V i s s er said he c o u ld not see a n y t h i ng w r o ng w i th it as he obtained n ew e v i d e n ce and c o n f r o n t e d' a c c u s ed n o. 7 w i th it on t he 8th A p r il w h e r e u p on a c c u s ed n o. 7 freely a nd v o l u n t a r i ly d e c i d ed to m a ke t he s t a t e m e n ts c o n t a i n ed in E X H I B I TS (iii) and ( i v ). I n s p e c t or V i s s er a l so said t h at he showed the 7.9mm r i f le of Mr K r i el to a c c u s ed n o. 7. It w as a l so p ut to I n s p e c t or V i s s er t h at the c o n t e nt of t he s t a t e m e nt w as not w h at a c c u s ed n o. 3 said and f u r t h er t h at b e c a u se he r e a l i s ed t h at the i n t e r r o g a t i o ns w i ll n ot stop and he t h e r e f o re m a de a s t a t e m e n t. Both t h e se v e r s i o ns w e re r e j e c t ed by I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. On behalf of a c c u s ed n o. 7 Mr K a s u to p ut it to I n s p e c t or V i s s er t h at the s t a t e m e nt w as in f a ct t h at t he t wo f i r e - a r ms found in t he p o s s e s s i on of a c c u s ed n o. 7 b e l o n g ed to M rs De L a n ge and that t h e se t wo f i r e - a r ms w e re c a r r i ed out by a c c u s ed n o. 6 w ho r e c e i v ed it f r om M rs De L a n ge inside t he h o u se after a c c u s ed n o. 7 r e q u e s t ed h is m o n ey and M rs De L a n ge t h en handed o v er t he f i r e - a r m s. I n s p e c t or V i s s er d e n i ed t h at a n y t h i ng of t h is kind had b e en c o n v e y ed to h im but t h at the s t a t e m e nt w h i ch w as m a de by a c c u s ed n o. 7 w as w r i t t en d o wn a f t er it h ad b e en t r a n s l a t ed and read b a ck to a c c u s ed n o. 7 w h e r e u p on he s i g n ed i t. It w as a l so put to I n s p e c t or V i s s er t h at in r e s p e ct of b o th t he s t a t e m e n ts no w a r n i ng w as g i v en to accused no. 7 before making t he statements w h i ch w as d e n i ed by I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. I n s p e c t or V i s s er r e p e a t ed t h at he p ut it to a c c u s ed n o. 7 t h at he had i n f o r m a t i on and t h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 had t he r i g ht to g i ve an e x p l a n a t i on w h e r e u p on he d e c i d ed to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t. In r e s p e ct of E X H I B IT (iv) a c c u s ed n o. 7 said t h at t he s t a t e m e nt d i d n 't c o n t a in t he c o r r e ct s t a t e m e nt and Mr K a s u to r e v e a l ed the c o n t e nt of t he s t a t e m e nt to t he C o u rt by p u t t i ng it to t he w i t n e s s. T h is s t a t e m e nt m e r e ly said t h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 d i d n 't h a ve a ny k n o w l e d ge a b o ut t he r o b b e ry and t h at he only r e c e i v ed t he 7.9 mm r i f le w h i ch had a l l e g e d ly b e en s t o l en from Mr K r i e l, t he c o m p l a i n a n t, from a c c u s ed n o. 6. T he I n s p e c t or r e m a i n ed a d a m a nt t h at n o t h i ng w as said to h im by a c c u s ed n o. 7 in r e l a t i on to t he De L a n ge c a se and t he r i f l es t a k en f r om t h at farm. T he i n t e r p r e t e r, G e r h a rd T j i m o t j i w a, w as c a l l ed a nd i d e n t i f i ed his s i g n a t u re as i n t e r p r e t er on b o th E X H I B I TS (iii) a nd ( i v ). He said he s p o ke O s h i v a m bo to a c c u s ed n o. 7 and t h en t r a n s l a t ed it a g a in i n to A f r i k a a ns to I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. He h i m s e lf is H e r e ro s p e a k i ng b ut g r ew up b e t w e en O w a m bo s p e a k i ng p e o p le and speaks O w a m bo for m o re t h an 15 y e a r s. A l t h o u gh he c a n n ot d i f f e r e n t i a te b e t w e en t he d i f f e r e nt d i a l e c ts in t he O w a m bo l a n g u a g e, he and a c c u s ed n o. 7 u n d e r s t o od e a ch o t h er and he h ad no p r o b l e ms d u r i ng t he t r a n s l a t i o n. He w as c r o s s - e x a m i n ed in r e s p e ct of t he d i f f e r e n c es in t he d i a l e c ts in t he O w a m bo l a n g u a g e, b ut he r e m a i n ed a d a m a nt t h at t h ey c o u ld u n d e r s t a nd e a ch o t h e r. He w as a l so c r o s s - e x a m i n ed about h is s t a t e m e nt t h at he c o u ld not r e m e m b er t he t y pe of w e a p on m e n t i o n ed in r e s p e ct of E X H I B IT (iv) by accused n o. 7 and w hy "7.9mm r i f l e" w as w r i t t en in t he s t a t e m e n t. He r e p e a t e d ly said t h at a l t h o u gh he c a n n ot r e m e m b er t h at t he s p e c i f ic t y pe of f i r e - a rm w as m e n t i o n e d, he t r a n s l a t ed e v e r y t h i ng t h at w as said by a c c u s ed n o. 7 to Inspector V i s s er w ho w r o te it d o wn and it w as r e ad b a ck to a c c u s ed n o. 7 w ho did not o b j e ct to a n y t h i ng in t he s t a t e m e n t. A c c u s ed n o. 7 signed b o th s t a t e m e n ts a f t er he m a de it and he also signed b o th d o c u m e n ts a f t er t he w a r n i ng h ad b e en g i v en to him b e f o re he m a de t he s t a t e m e n t s. A c c u s ed n o. 7 w as c a l l ed by Mr K a s u to to t e s t i f y. A c c o r d i ng to h im he w as i n t e r r o g a t ed by I n s p e c t or V i s s er t w i ce n a m e ly on t he 28th M a r ch 1991 for t he w h o le m o r n i ng a nd p a rt of t he a f t e r n o on as w e ll as on the 8th A p r il 1 9 9 1. On t he f i r st o c c a s i on he refused to m a ke any s t a t e m e nt a nd on t he s e c o nd o c c a s i on Inspector V i s s er asked him a b o ut w e a p o ns a nd said t h at he had m o re i n f o r m a t i on about t h e m. On t h at d a te he d id m a ke a s t a t e m e n t. A c c o r d i ng to h im a c c u s ed n o. 6 g a ve h im t he w e a p o ns after M rs De L a n ge h a n d ed it o v er to t h e m. In r e s p e ct of E X H I B IT (iii) he d e n i ed t h at t he s t a t e m e nt w as read o v er to him or t h at he told t he I n s p e c t or t h at a c c u s ed n o. 6 g a ve h im the w e a p o n. He d e n i ed t he c o n t e n ts of t h at s t a t e m e n t. H e, h o w e v e r, a d m i t t ed t h at he s i g n ed t he s t a t e m e n t. In respect of E X H I B IT (iv) he a l so a d m i t t ed h is s i g n a t u r es on the s t a t e m e nt and said t h at he w as n ot i n f o r m ed about the c h a r ge as it a p p e a rs on t he s t a t e m e n t. He said t h at he w as not w a r n ed and t he s t a t e m e nt w as n ot read to him. He said t h is w as not t he s t a t e m e nt t h at he m a d e. He a g a in r e f e r r ed to the t wo f i r e - a r ms w h i ch he a l l e g e d ly received from M rs De L a n g e. He said t h at w as w h at he in fact told I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. He d e n i ed t h at a ny f i r e a rm of Mr K r i el w as found in his p o s s e s s i o n. He said t he i n t e r p r e t er i n t e r p r e t ed to him in H e r e ro w h i le he w as a n s w e r i ng in O w a m b o, but he said he u n d e r s t o od t he i n t e r p r e t er p r o p e r l y. D u r i ng c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i on by the S t a te he w as s h o wn E X H I B I TS 2 a nd 12 w h i ch w e re the r i f l es of Mr K r i el and Mr De L a n ge r e s p e c t i v e ly and he identified E X H I B IT 12 as t he o ne t h at he had in h is p o s s e s s i o n. He c o u ld not e x p l a in w hy it w as n ot d e n i ed t h at E X H I B IT 2, the r i f le of Mr K r i e l, w as in f a ct found in h is h o u s e. He w as a l so c o n f r o n t ed w i th e v i d e n ce w h i ch w as n ot d i s p u t ed t h at E X H I B IT 1 2, the r i f le of Mr De L a n g e, w as in fact found in t he t o i l et of t he h o u se w h e re a c c u s ed n o s. 1 and 6 w e re a r r e s t e d. He d e n i ed t h is a nd c o u ld n ot e x p l a in w hy it w as not d i s p u t e d. I shall f i r st d e al w i th the s t a t e m e nt a l l e g e d ly m a de by a c c u s ed n o. 3 and w h i ch w as h a n d ed in as E X H I B IT ( i i ), a l t h o u gh t he c o n t e nt of the s t a t e m e nt w as not i n c l u d ed in t he d o c u m e n t, n e i t h er w as it r e v e a l ed to the C o u r t. B o th Mr S m a ll on b e h a lf of the State and Mr K a s u to on b e h a lf of a c c u s ed n o. 3 c o n f i r m ed t h at t h is s t a t e m e nt in f a ct a m o u n ts to a c o n f e s s i on by accused n o. 3. I h a v e, c o n s e q u e n t l y, only to d e c i de w h e t h er t h is s t a t e m e nt is a d m i s s i b le w i t h in t he p r o v i s i o ns of the C r i m i n al P r o c e d u re A ct or n o t. T h is s t a t e m e nt w as m a de to a J u s t i ce of the P e a c e, n a m e ly a s e n i or o f f i c er of the N a m i b i an P o l i c e, C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e. T h is aspect w as n ot d i s p u t e d. The o n ly d i s p u te in r e s p e ct of t he statement is w h e t h er it w as m a de f r e e ly and v o l u n t a r i ly or w i t h o ut any u n d ue i n f l u e n c e. It w as a v e r r ed by t he S t a te and Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c he t h at a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as sober and in his full s e n s e s. T h is w as n ot d e n i e d. It is c l e ar t h at t h e re a re t wo d i f f e r e nt v e r s i o ns b e t w e en t he S t a te and a c c u s ed n o. 3 in r e s p e ct of t he m a n n er in w h i ch t h is s t a t e m e nt w as o b t a i n e d. A l t h o u gh a c c u s ed n o. 3 a v e rs t h at he w as a f r a id of Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c h e, it is c l e ar f r om his e v i d e n ce as w e ll as w h at w as p ut to t he S t a te w i t n e s s es that the m a in r e a s on for h is o b j e c t i on to t he s t a t e m e nt as not b e i ng m a de freely and v o l u n t a r i ly a nd t h at u n d ue i n f l u e n ce w as u s ed by w ay of t h r e a t s, w as t he c o n d u ct of F i l l e m on K a n a e l e. A c c o r d i ng to a c c u s ed n o. 3 he w as a f r a id of F i l l e m on K a n a e le b e c a u se he d id p r e v i o u s ly b e at up h is s i s t e r, w h i ch a s s a u lt he did not see b ut h e a rd of it from W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si and further t h at F i l l e m on K a n a e le in t he p o l i ce s t a t i on at K a t u t u ra p u s h ed h im up t he s t a i rs t o w a r ds t he o f f i ce of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a nd in t he o f f i ce w h i le t e l l i ng him to m a ke a s t a t e m e n t, t h r e a t e n ed h im w i th a p i s t ol and said t h at he m ay be h u r t. K a n e a le a l so m a de c e r t a in o t h er t h r e a ts of w h at t he P r e s i d e nt a l l o w ed t h em to do to him. F i n a l ly he w as p r o m i s ed t h at he w o u ld be r e l e a s ed if he should m a ke a s t a t e m e n t. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at he n e v er a v e r r ed t h at he w as a s s a u l t ed or t h r e a t e n ed in any w ay by F i l l e m on K a n a e le in O w a m bo or on t h e ir w ay to t he K a t u t u ra P o l i ce S t a t i on or at a ny t i me b e f o re t he 28th of M a r ch 1991 u n t il the t i me t h at he w as t a k e n, a c c o r d i ng to him, by K a n a e le from t he c e l ls to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e. On his own evidence Fillemon Kanaele was present during the course of t he t i me t h at t he s t a t e m e nt w as t a k en and t h a t, b e c a u se he c o u ld n ot u n d e r s t a nd A f r i k a a n s, F i l l e m on K a n a e le acted as an i n t e r p r e t e r. I find it u n b e l i e v a b le t h at c e r t a in c o n v e r s a t i o ns b e t w e en C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a nd F i l l e m on K a n a e le like t he t e l e p h o ne c a ll from C h i ef I n s p e c t or N g h o si and o t h e rs w o u ld h a ve b e en t r a n s l a t ed f r om A f r i k a a ns to O w a m bo for a c c u s ed n o. 3 to u n d e r s t a n d. If t h o se c o n v e r s a t i o ns did t a ke p l a ce b e t w e en C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and K a n a e le in A f r i k a a n s, t h e re w as no r e a s on to t r a n s l a te it and t h at c an o n ly m e an t h at a c c u s ed n o. 3 d id in fact u n d e r s t a nd w h at t h ey said a nd c o n s e q u e n t ly u n d e r s t o od t he A f r i k a a ns t h ey s p o k e. T he v e r s i on of a c c u s ed n o. 3, h o w e v er d i f f e rs m a t e r i a l ly f r om t he factual e v i d e n ce of w h at w as e n t e r ed i n to t he O c c u r r e n ce B o ok of t he K a t u t u ra P o l i ce S t a t i on on t h o se d a t e s. In t he first i n s t a n ce it a p p e a rs c l e a r ly t h at e v e ry t i me t he a c c u s ed w as t a k en to t he c e l ls or t a k en f r om t he c e l ls it w as r e c o r d e d. It a p p e a rs a l so f r om E X H I B IT (i) t h at a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as d e t a i n ed in c u s t o dy at 1 8 : 50 on t he 27th of M a r ch 1991 and not t a k en from t he c e l ls a g a in on t h at d a y. A c c o r d i ng to t h at e n t ry he w as h a n d ed o v er at t h at t i me by W a r r a nt O f f i ce K u r z. A c c o r d i ng to a c c u s ed n o. 3's own e v i d e n ce he w as t a k en to t he c e l ls and t h en l a t er a g a in t a k en from the c e l ls on t he 2 7 th of M a r ch 1991 to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce by F i l l e m on K a n a e l e. T h is is not in a c c o r d a n ce w i th t he e n t r i es in t he O c c u r r e n ce B o ok m a de on t h at d a y. A c c u s ed n o. 3 w as t a k en at 10 p a st 7 on t he 2 8 th of M a r ch from t he c e l ls and returned at 5 m i n u t es p a st 9 to t he c e l ls by a C o n s t a b le F i l l e m o n. B o th t h e se o c c u r r e n c es a re p r o p e r ly r e c o r d ed in the O c c u r r e n ce B o o k. A c c u s ed n o. 3 d e n i es t h at t h is happened and there is no e v i d e n ce of w hy he w as in fact t a k en from the c e l ls or for w h at p u r p o se e x c e pt for t he e n t ry itself. This does not t a ke the m a t t er a ny f u r t h er b ut c o n f i r ms that such o c c u r r e n c es are r e c o r d ed in t he O c c u r r e n ce B o o k. It is f u r t h er recorded that D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es at 9:50 t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 from the p o l i ce c e l ls and t h at he s i g n ed for him. T h is w as c o n f i r m ed by D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es in e v i d e n ce and he said he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 to C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e. I shall r e t u rn to M i n n i e s' e v i d e n ce l a t e r. It is f u r t h er recorded that accused n o. 3 w as t a k en b a ck to t he c e l ls and released at 12:15 i n to t he c u s t o dy of D e t e c t i ve W a r r a nt O f f i c er Kurz from w h e re he w as t a k en to O k a h a n d j a. T h e se e n t r i es are in direct c o n f l i ct w i th t he e v i d e n ce of a c c u s ed n o. 3 and t h e re is no r e a s on to e v en s u s p e ct t h at t he e n t r i es h a ve b e en tampered w i t h, n e i t h er has it b e en s u g g e s t e d. T h e se entries a r e, on t he o t h er h a n d, in c o n f o r m i ty w i th the evidence of Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e, D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i e s, W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz a nd F i l l e m on K a n a e l e. A c c o r d i ng to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he he w as n ot on duty any m o re at the t i me w h en a c c u s ed n o. 3 w as b r o u g ht to the p o l i ce station on t he 27th of M a r ch 1 9 9 1. T h is w as c o n f i r m ed by W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz as w e ll as F i l l e m on K a n a e l e. F i l l e m on K a n a e le d e n i ed t h at he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 to t he o f f i ce of Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c he on t h at d ay and said t h at he did not find Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t h e re and w e nt to W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o s i 's o f f i ce from w h e re he p h o n ed Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c he at his h o u se and i n f o r m ed h im t h at he has returned w i th a c c u s ed n o. 3. C o n s e q u e n t l y, I have no d o u bt that accused n o. 3 w as n e v er t a k en on t he 27th of M a r ch to the office of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he or t h at Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he saw him on t h at d a y. H is e v i d e n ce in t h is r e s p e ct m u st be r e j e c t ed a nd t h at of t he S t a te w i t n e s s es as c o r r o b o r a t ed by the e n t r i es in t he O c c u r r e n ce B o o k, E X H I B IT ( i ), a c c e p t e d. In r e s p e ct of w h at h a p p e n ed on the 28th of M a r ch 1991 F i l l e m on K a n a e le d e n i ed t h at he had any r i g ht to t a ke a p r i s o n er from t he c e l ls and t h is w as c o n f i r m ed by C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and o t h er w i t n e s s e s. His e v i d e n ce w as t h at he a r r i v ed later t h at m o r n i n g, found a c c u s ed n o. 3 in C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e *s office w h e re he w as b u sy w i th h im and t h at he only g r e e t ed Chief Inspector T e r b l a n c he a nd i n f o r m ed h im t h at he w as l e a v i ng for O w a m bo b e c a u se he o b t a i n ed a l i f t. He t h en left the o f f i ce and he a l so c o n f i r m ed t h at D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es w as p r e s e n t. D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es c o n f i r ms this and in f a ct c o n f i r ms t h at he w as still in the office of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he w h en F i l l e m on K a n a e le left t he o f f i ce a nd c l o s ed t he d o or b e h i nd him. I h a ve no r e a s on to doubt the e v i d e n ce of D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i e s. He further c o n f i r ms w h at a p p e a rs from t he O c c u r r e n ce B o o k, namely t h at he w as t he p e r s on w ho t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 to Inspector T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e. W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz a l so testified t h at he t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 from I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i ce and b o o k ed h im o u t, w h e r e u p on t h ey left for O k a h a n d j a. Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t e s t i f i ed t h at he w as a l o ne in t he o f f i ce w i th a c c u s ed n o. 3 and at t i m es p e o p le e n t e r ed t he o f f i c e, c o m p l e t ed t h e ir b u s i n e ss t h e re and left a nd d u r i ng t h o se t i m es he s u s p e n d ed his b u s i n e ss w i th a c c u s ed n o. 3. He d e n i ed t h at F i l l e m on K a n a e le w as p r e s e nt d u r i ng t he c o u r se of a c c u s ed n o. 3's s t a t e m e nt and said t h at he d id not u se an i n t e r p r e t er as they u n d e r s t o od e a ch o t h er p r o p e r ly in A f r i k a a n s. He d e n i ed any p o s s i b le t h r e a t, i n d u c e m e nt or t h at a n y b o dy had a p i s t ol in h is h a n d. D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es a l so d e n i es t h at he saw a p i s t ol in t he h a n ds of K a n a e le at t he t i me w h en he e n t e r ed for t he short p e r i od t he o f f i ce of C h i ef I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e. L o o k i ng at E X H I B IT (ii) it is c l e ar t h at b e f o re p a r a g r a ph 7 w h i ch c o n t a i ns the c o n t e nt of t he s t a t e m e n t, a n u m b er of steps had to be g o ne t h r o u gh and a n u m b er of q u e s t i o ns had to be a s k ed and a n s w e r ed w h i ch w e re d u ly r e c o r d ed on t h at d o c u m e n t. A c c u s ed n o. 3 signed e a ch p a ge of the d o c u m e nt and I w as i n f o r m ed t h at he in fact signed e a ch of t he f i ve p a g es of t he s t a t e m e n t. It a l so a p p e a rs from the d o c u m e nt as w as t e s t i f i ed by Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he t h at t he w h o le s t a t e m e nt w as read o v er to h im a f t er he m a de t he s t a t e m e nt and it w as c o n f i r m ed by his s i g n a t u re as b e i ng c o r r e c t. A c c u s ed n o. 3 t e s t i f i ed t h at he only m a de a short s t a t e m e nt and it is u n c l e ar to me w h e re I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he w o u ld t h en h a ve o b t a i n ed a s t a t e m e nt w h i ch c o v e r ed f i ve p a g es and w h i ch w as a p p a r e n t ly in d e t a i l. T he only real o b j e c t i o ns except for t he a l l e g a t i o ns of u n d ue i n f l u e n ce and t h r e a ts by F i l l e m on K a n a e l e, w e re t he f a ct t h at t he offence w as v a g u e ly r e c o r d ed in t he s t a t e m e nt in p a r a g r a ph 3 and that Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he a nd e v en W a r r a nt O f f i c er K u rz w e re u n d er the i m p r e s s i on t h at W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si w as a l so p r e s e nt in W i n d h o ek and m ay h a ve b r o u g ht accused n o. 3 to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e. N e i t h er of t he o b j e c t i o ns h a ve any s u b s t a n c e. T he v a g u e ly recorded o f f e n ce c o u ld have had an e f f e ct if t he d e p o n e nt of the s t a t e m e nt did not u n d e r s t a nd it a nd c o u ld n ot m a ke a statement in r e s p e ct of t h is o f f e n c e, b e c a u se it w as so v a g u e. A p p a r e n t ly he u n d e r s t o od i t, b e c a u se he m a de a s t a t e m e nt covering five p a g es in r e s p e ct of t he p a r t i c u l ar o f f e n c e. T he fact t h at W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o s i, a c c o r d i ng to K a n a e le as w e ll as a c c u s ed n o. 3, d id not a c c o m p a ny a c c u s ed n o. 3 further t h an T s u m eb d o es not t a ke t he m a t t er f u r t h er as it is c l e ar from t he e v i d e n ce of D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a nt M i n n i es and E X H I B IT (i) t h at it w as in fact M i n n i es w ho t o ok a c c u s ed n o. 3 to Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c h e 's o f f i c e. T h e re is no o t h er r e l e v a n ce or v a l ue to be a t t a c h ed to t he w r o ng i m p r e s s i on by Chief I n s p e c t or T e r b l a n c he and K u rz t h at W a r r a nt O f f i c er N g h o si a l so c a me to W i n d h o e k. It d o es n ot a f f e ct t he a d m i s s i b i l i ty of the s t a t e m e nt at a l l. I h a ve no doubt t h at t he s t a t e m e nt w as t a k en w i t h o ut a ny u n d ue i n f l u e n ce or any t h r e at and t h at it w as in fact f r e e ly a nd v o l u n t a r i ly m a de as a p p e a rs from all t he q u e s t i o ns a nd a n s w e rs contained in that d o c u m e nt b e f o re and a f t er a c c u s ed n o. 3 m a de the s t a t e m e n t. T h is s t a t e m e nt is c o n s e q u e n t ly a c c e p t ed to be admissible as e v i d e n c e. I s h a ll n ow d e al w i th t he t wo s t a t e m e n ts m a de by a c c u s ed n o. 7 on t he 8th of A p r il 1991 and p ut b e f o re me as E X H I B I TS (iii) and (iv) r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e se s t a t e m e n ts w e re a l so p ut b e f o re me e x c l u d i ng t he c o n t e n ts t h e r e o f. The c o n t e nt of t he s t a t e m e nt c o n t a i n ed in E X H I B IT (iv) w as h o w e v er r e v e a l ed by Mr K a s u to d u r i ng c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i on w h en he p ut it to I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. It w as put to me by b o th c o u n s e l, Mr S m a ll and Mr K a s u t o, t h at n e i t h er of t h e se s t a t e m e n ts c o n t a i n ed any c o n f e s s i on but w e re m e r e ly e x t r a c u r i al a d m i s s i o n s. I n s p e c t or V i s s er t e s t i f i ed t h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 h ad b e en p r o p e r ly w a r n ed and t h at t he first p a rt of t he s t a t e m e nt w as read and i n t e r p r e t ed to h im by t he i n t e r p r e t e r, Mr G e r h a rd T j i m o t j i w a, w h e r e u p on a c c u s ed n o. 7 s i g n ed it a nd t h e r e a f t er m a de his s t a t e m e n t, w h e r e u p on he a g a in signed it as w e ll as the i n t e r p r e t er and I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. No a l l e g a t i on w as ever m a de of any u n d ue i n f l u e n ce or a t h r e at by I n s p e c t or V i s s er and t he only s u g g e s t i on of any i n c o r r e ct p r o c e d u re w as t h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 h ad b e en f o r c ed to m a ke t he statement b e c a u se h e, a f t er a l o ng i n t e r r o g a t i on on t he 28th of M a r ch 1 9 9 1, did n ot m a ke a s t a t e m e nt and t h en later on the 8th of A p r il a f t er b e i ng c o n f r o n t ed w i th n ew i n f o r m a t i on he t h en m a de a s t a t e m e n t. T he o n ly o t h er c r i t i c i sm levelled at t h e se s t a t e m e n ts w e re a g a i n st t he i n t e r p r e t er w ho is not an O w a m b o - s p e a k i ng p e r s on b ut w ho spoke H e r e ro according to a c c u s ed n o. 7. T he i n t e r p r e t er said he spoke O w a m bo a nd t h at t h ey b o th understood each other. Accused n o. 7 confirmed that he u n d e r s t o od t he i n t e r p r e t er p r o p e r l y. It w as f u r t h er a l l e g ed t h at t he c o n t e n ts of t he s t a t e m e n ts w e re not c o r r e c t. I d id n ot h a ve t he c o n t e nt of t he s t a t e m e nt c o n t a i n ed in E X H I B IT (iii) b e f o re me b ut t h at of t he s t a t e m e nt c o n t a i n ed in E X H I B IT (iv) w as p ut to I n s p e c t or V i s s e r. T h at s t a t e m e nt m e r e ly d e n i ed any k n o w l e d ge of t he r o b b e ry and m e r e ly c o n f i r m ed t h at t he p a r t i c u l ar 7.9mm r i f le w h i ch w as a l l e g e d ly s t o l en f r om Mr K r i el w as r e c e i v ed by h im f r om a c c u s ed n o. 6. If I n s p e c t or V i s s er h ad any i n t e n t i on to p ut any p r e j u d i c i al e v i d e n ce a g a i n st a c c u s ed n o. 7 in t he s t a t e m e n t, he c o u ld h a ve d o ne m u ch b e t t er t h an t h is r e c o r d i ng of a m e re d e n i a l. T he o n ly p o s s i b le p r e j u d i c i al p a rt in t h is s t a t e m e nt w as t he r e f e r e n ce to t he t y pe of r i f l e. D e s p i te t he c r i t i c i sm of t he i n t e r p r e t er in r e s p e ct of t he "7.9mm r i f l e ," he said he i n t e r p r e t ed w h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 t o ld h im and it w as read b a ck to h im w h e r e a f t er he a c c e p t ed it a nd s i g n ed it as b e i ng c o r r e c t. I h a ve no d o u bt t h at a c c u s ed n o. 7 w as p r o p e r ly w a r n ed a nd t h at he m a de t he s t a t e m e n ts freely a nd v o l u n t a r i l y, w h i ch w e re t h en w r i t t en d o wn by I n s p e c t or V i s s e r, r e ad b a ck to h im a nd a c c e p t ed by h im as c o r r e ct by p u t t i ng h is s i g n a t u r es on t he d o c u m e n t s. I n s p e c t or V i s s er is a l so a J u s t i ce of t he P e a ce and I a c c e pt h is e v i d e n ce in r e s p e ct of t he t a k i ng of t h e se s t a t e m e n t s. T h e se s t a t e m e n ts are a d m i t t ed as e v i d e n c e. M U L L E R, A . J.