20 sept namib times e-edition

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N$4

namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6806 FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2019 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net

What a sight!

Four ship-to-shore cranes deployed simultaneous for the first time to offload ship

inside

Street kids a menace in Swakop cbd

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See Report on page 2

4 STS cranes in action simultaneously on Maersk Iyo vessel

Elephant tusks Vermeulen, Clark and Lusse apply for bail

The State's case of illegal dealing in ivory and the illegal possession of ivory has met a steep challenge in the Walvis Bay magistrate's court yesterday, in the bail applications by Walvis Bay residents Dirk Vermeulen (50), Edgar Clarke (47) and Michael Lusse (60). The trio was arrested three weeks ago after Vermeulen sold two elephant tusks to an undercover police officer. Vermeulen Edgar Clarke

and Clark were arrested on 31 August at Vermeulen's residence in Walvis Bay's Fairways and Lusse was arrested a few days later.

The State argued yesterday the accused must not be released on bail, as they would interfere with the investigation and pose a flight risk. The State also argued it is a serious criminal offense and it would not be in the public interest to release them on bail [yet]. State Prosecutor Nathan Knittle put it to Vermeulen he might get bail at a later stage, but not before the investigation concludes. However, the State's

case took a grilling from the three defence lawyers, Jan Wessels (for Clark), Nathan Knittle (for Vermeulen) and Petrus Strauss (for Lusse). Vermeulen already admitted he made a “stupid mistake� by selling and possessing the tusks. Furthermore, apart from the four police officers who were present on the day the deal was made and Vermeulen arrested, there are no other witnesses that has to be interviewed by the

Dirk Vermeulen

A lesson from the deep Kalahari Page 5

Locker vom Hocker

Pages 10 & 11

Michael Lusse

investigation team. A visibly tired Vermeulen expressed his intention to plead guilty to the charges put to him and that he is willing to pay a fine. He has no criminal record and informed

the court he made a mistake and already apologised to his family and friends. Lawyer Jan Wessels dropped the proverbial bombshell on the State's case when he Continues on page 2

Under 17 Netball team ready

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