No bail for alleged shooter in Hans Möller murder

The man accused of having pulled the trigger that killed well-known coastal businessman Mr Hans Jörg Möller in an armed robbery in his home in Walvis Bay over the weekend made a first appearance in the town’s magistrate’s court yesterday. The man was identified as Panduleni Gottlieb and was arrested in Northern Namibia only hours after the robbery and shooting.

Several men participated in the armed robbery, of which two were arrested in Windhoek. They are due to appear in the magistrate’s court this morning.
Gottlieb made no bail application and re-mains in custody pending his next appearance on 2 August this year.
A lawyer who preferred not to be named said yesterday it is highly unlikely these two suspects would be bailed, as the investigation into the armed robbery and murder has not yet been completed. The case is sensitive and an online petition is now circulated on social media where people request that the suspects are refused bail.
The Namibian Police’s spokesperson in Erongo, Commissioner Otillie Kashuupulwa confirmed Gottlieb’s arrest and first court appearance yesterday and also refuted rumour mongering that the accused has been granted bail.
Thanks to tireless follow-up work by detectives of the Namibian Police and seasoned police officers, Panduleni was arrested on Saturday in the Oshakati area.
A firearm was found in his possession as well as an undisclosed amount of cash thought to have been stolen during the armed robbery from the Möller residence. Commissioner Kashuupulwa declined to comment on the process that now follows to link the firearm and the cash to the case.
Within hours after the arrest of Panduleni, the police had sufficient information to lead them to two more suspects in Windhoek. It is expected more arrests would follow.
The Möller-family was overpowered in their home in Walvis Bay shortly after 01:00 on Friday. Mrs Carol-Anne Möller was first woken by a sound of their home’s front security door forced open.
As she went closer to inspect, the suspects came through the front door. She was assaulted and the gang asked for cash. Mrs Möller pleaded with the intruders to leave their two daughters unhindered in their bedroom.
As the assault gained momentum Mr Möller was woken in the main bedroom [Mrs Möller was sleeping with their daughters as one was not feeling well at the time of the attack]. Mr Möller reportedly tried to defend his family and a fierce fight ensued where after the one attacker shot Mr Möller.
After forcing Mrs Möller to open the safe, the thugs stole the cash, jewellery and other valuables before fleeing.
The gravely wounded Mr Möller was rushed to the Welwitschia Private Hospital a while later and was then transferred to the intensive care unit at the Cottage Mediclinic at Swakopmund.
Despite surgery and expert medical treatment Mr Möller passed away at 15:00 on Saturday.
In the aftermath of the robbery and murder people from all walks of Namibian life and all cultural backgrounds reacted to this senseless act of violence. People are aggrieved by the almost daily prevalence of violent crimes against the country’s communities. The late Mr. Möller was not only well-known in tourism circles but was also a pilot and well-known aviator. Many of his former tourism clients living abroad expressed disbelief and anger over the incident.