Eba Kandovazu
THE family of Gerhardus van Wyk, 54, who was allegedly shot by Harvey Boulter at the end of February this year said they have no objection if the court decides to grant the accused person bail.
This was said in court at Boulter’s formal bail application in the Outjo Magigistrate’s Court, by a representative of the family.
Boulter, who had been under police guard in a Windhoek hospital where he was receiving treatment for a bullet wound to his hand since the fatal incident on his farm Kaross in the Kamanjab district, started with the formal bail application before Magistrate Immanuel Udjombala on Wednesday.
The late Van Wyk was employed as a farm manager on Boulter’s farm. He and his family members resided on the farm.
Van Wyk’s wife, through a representative, informed the court that the family has no objection against bail because she fears that the salaries of people employed by Boulter around the world, among them her son, would be affected if his incarceration continues. The court was informed that Boulter employs more than 140 people worldwide.
The 51-year-old Boulter testified that he has three children to maintain and that they reside in the United States of America.
Boulter refuted claims that he is a billionaire although he owns businesses in Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, The United Kingdom, and Namibia.
The accused person stated that he finds it ridiculous that media reports labelled him as a billionaire when he cannot even afford to purchase a flight ticket at the moment.
Boulter also denied that he owns a private jet, saying that he normally makes use of commercial flights to travel. It was also his testimony that he once chartered a private jet to travel.
During his testimony, Boulter stated that he was merely defending himself when the gunshot that caused Van Wyk’s death and the wound to his left hand went off. The accused person said he felt threatened at the time of the incident.
A psychologist will be called to testify that after the incident, Boulter suffered severe anxiety, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress.
The state is objecting to bail being granted. The prosecutor in the matter, Advocate Ethel Ndlovu, argued that Boulter poses a flight risk. The state also fears he might interfere with investigations and that it would not be in the public’s interest to grant him bail due to the seriousness of the offense. In addition to the murder charge, another charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm was added to the charge sheet recently.
