Namibian man claims murder charges are false
Teodor Shipanga, 49, told the Windhoek High Court he has no knowledge of killing a colleague and stealing N$2.5 million.
Teodor Shipanga, 49, told the Windhoek High Court yesterday that charges of murder and robbery against him are false. Shipanga claims he has no knowledge of the alleged crimes, stating that no police docket was opened and that a judge had cancelled his charges. He is accused of murdering security colleague Shain van Wyk, 22, on November 11, 2011, and stealing N$2.5 million and a cash-in-transit vehicle.
The state alleges Van Wyk was shot in the head while transporting cash from northern Namibia to Windhoek with Shipanga. Van Wyk's body was found in a culvert near Okahandja, and the abandoned, partly burnt vehicle was found in Windhoek. A former vault manager, Mina van Wyk, testified that she had set the route for the two men and that Shipanga was issued a shotgun before their trip. She also stated that Shipanga's security uniform and ID were found near the burnt vehicle.
Shipanga pleaded not guilty to all charges in June, protesting the trial's constitutionality. He specifically asked the prosecutor, Anna Amukugo, to be removed from the case. The trial continues.