Hit-and-run accused remains behind bars The man accused of killing 23-year-old Junias Smith in a hit-and-run last weekend with his brand new BMW M3 will remain behind bars until his formal bail hearing next week Thursday.Twenty-six year old Lesley Simwanza made his first appearance at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was formally charged with four counts related to the death of Smith last Friday night. He was accompanied by a large delegation of friends and family and is being represented by a private attorney Chris Mayumbelo.
Simwanza faces charges of culpable homicide, defeating the course of justice, failure to ascertain injuries at the scene of an accident, failure to stop at the scene of an accident and reckless and negligent driving.
Simwanza was arrested on Monday after police discovered the battered BMW, which he had allegedly hid in a family-owned garage.
Witnesses on Friday told police that after hitting Smith, Simwanza got out of the car and walked towards the body of his victim. Thereafter witnesses allege he jumped back into his damaged vehicle, and fled the scene.
On Monday last week, five days before the accident, Simwanza posted a public post on Facebook of a photo showcasing his newly purchased car, with the description “it’s another red beast again … just bigger and better”.
His Facebook account shows that he previously owned and recently sold a red Audi and that he works at the Directorate of Tourism and Gaming, within the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
Photos taken shortly after the vehicle, with the number plate “N177 272W”, was towed away by police, show the extent of the damage to the front portion of the car as well as the windshield as a result of the deadly crash.
State prosecutors indicated yesterday they would oppose bail as a result of fears that he would abscond before the trial, and the likelihood of him interfering with the investigation.
Furthermore, because of the serious nature of the offence, it is not in the interest of the public or the administration of justice that the suspect is let free on bail, the state claimed.
Friends of the victim’s family, who attended court yesterday, said that the recent events have been a nightmare, especially considering that Smith’s father, Almas Lukas, lost his wife, Smith’s mother, from cancer just a month ago.
JANA-MARI SMITH