Rehoboth drug accused attempts suicide in custody as bail - nbc

One of the accused in the Rehoboth drug case, Steven Schneider, reportedly attempted to take his own life over the weekend while in the police holding cells. His lawyer, Winnie Christian informed NBC News that Schneider tried to harm himself. Christian explained that his client could not handle the news that his girlfriend and co-accused, Naomi Fisch, suffered a miscarriage on Friday, losing what would have been his first child. Christian, who is also representing Fisch, blamed the Rehoboth Police for ignoring his client's health while pregnant in prison. Fisch and Schneider, along with three others, face charges of money laundering and drug dealing. The Police made an additional arrest over the weekend after a tip-off by another accused about drug dealers operating in the town. The Hardap Regional leadership also joined community members in support for the Court not to grant them bail. Local Authority Councillor of Mariental, William Minnie said the drug empire in the Hardap region must fall.   “The recent surge in drug abuse, drug trafficking, and other illicit substances is such a disheartening situation within the region. We have similar problems in Mariental. We are currently here in Rehoboth today, standing in solidarity with the Mayor, together with his residents and the community. You know, the issue of drugs is not an isolated issue but a regional issue. There are issues of drug abuse everywhere within this region, and we must combat it. It affects young people, elders, and the community as a whole. It cannot be that as regional leaders, councillors, and church elders in this particular region, we allow drug abuse to just happen freely and to continue as it is currently. There is no way,” he said. Community members at the Rehoboth Magistrate's Court told the NBC News team that one of the accused in the case allegedly reported their mother, along with other alleged drug dealers, to the authorities. Hardap Governor Charles Mcnab also expressed his displeasure about the high volume of drug use in the region. “The situation in the Hardap region is dire. And when we are talking, we are talking about the heart of the region, our region. Our region is the region of prosperity. God's word is very clear -God has got only the best for his people in this country," he added. Police Spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi could not confirm the relationship between the arrested person and the accused. Deputy Commissioner Shikwambi said police carried out an arrest on Saturday night and found money at the house of a 65-year-old woman in the town. The pensioner has since been released due to a lack of evidence. The bail hearing of both accused was postponed to tomorrow. #NBCNews #nbcdigitalnews #nbcDSTV282 #nbcGOtv20 #nbcplusapp