VICTOR NKANDI, a prominent SWAPO member who has been in prison for more than two years, appeared before the Windhoek Supreme Court on 24 October charged with direct involvement in the assassination of the Chief Minister of Ovamboland Filemon Elifas in August 1975 and alternatively, with being a member of a conspiracy which led to the chief's death. The trial, which had been postponed from 27 September, opened before the Judge President, Mr. Justice Badenhorst, and was expected to last for two to three weeks. (see FOCUS 12 p.8)
A crowd of SWAPO supporters demonstrated and sang SWAPO songs outside the courtroom as the trial opened, while the public gallery inside was packed with people, mostly wearing SWAPO colours. Nkandi, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, is alleged to have transported a number of people from Angola to Ovamboland, knowing that they intended to assassinate Chief Elifas or alternatively to cause him bodily harm. He is alleged, together with SWAPO organising secretary Aaron Muchimba to have purchased a Land-Rover in Windhoek for the use of SWAPO guerillas, (WA 24.10.77; RDM 25.10.77).
