Former Ya Toivo assistant’s trial to begin next year

WINDHOEK, 18 JUL (NAMPA) - The trial of Elia Shoopala Kapofi, a former assistant to the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, arrested in August last year on allegations of fraud and theft is scheduled to begin in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on 06 March 2019.
Kapofi is alleged to have stolen money, amounting to N.dollars 71 000, from the late liberation struggle icon’s bank account in February last year.
Kapofi (age not given) made another appearance before Windhoek Magistrate Samunzala Linus Samunzala on Wednesday when his case was postponed to next year for the purposes of plea and trial.
It is reported that Kapofi was the late Ya Toivo’s personal assistant and driver for a long time and had access to the late liberation struggle icon’s personal affairs.
Kapofi was arrested on 18 August 2017 and made his first court appearance on 21 August 2017.
Earlier reports quoted sources close to the Ya Toivo family as saying Kapofi was trusted with the bank details of the late Ya Toivo and had been withdrawing money from the account for the Ya Toivo household’s expenses.
Kapofi, who is free on a warning, is represented by defence lawyer Kadhila Amoomo.
Public Prosecutor Tatelo Cuthbert Lusepani appeared for the State on Wednesday.
Ya Toivo died in Windhoek on 09 June 2017 at the age of 93. He was one of the co-founders of Swapo in 1960 and its predecessor, the Ovamboland People’s Organisation in 1959.
(NAMPA)
SKE/HP/PS